Leeds students join York’s deep geothermal project

Geophysics undergraduate students contributed to the University of York’s Deep Geothermal Energy Project.

Charlotte Hill, James Pagan and Duncan Brown joined Echo Geo Ltd, the survey contractors for York, to assist with the deployment of sensors ahead of seismic imaging beneath the University of York's Campus East.  

Working alongside peers from Durham University and the University of York, the students helped install seismic sensors – so-called nodes, manufactured by the company Stryde – along the seismic survey routes. Braving autumnal weather, survey crews installed instrumentation through late October and mid-November.

Leeds’ students received comprehensive training, including an on-site demonstration of how to place and collect the nodes before deploying them for the seismic survey. Once the nodes are all placed, seismic surveys will be recorded with dedicated “Vibroseis” vehicles, which vibrate the ground and transmit seismic energy into the subsurface.

Charlotte Hill said: "I was impressed with the GPS-linked nodal system and the scale of the operation over York.”

James Pagan said: “The days in the field were long and hard work carrying all the equipment – it really showed us the realities of geophysics field days.”