Heesong Geotech to Complete Deep Seismometer Retrieval by This Week
Geothermal Power Site Safety Management Project Resident Briefing to Be Held on the 5th
On the 6th, Pohang City announced that the retrieval work of the deep borehole seismometer installed in the drilling hole (PX-1) within the geothermal power plant site is scheduled to be carried out by 'Heesong Geotech,' the lead organization for the geothermal power plant site safety management project, by the end of this week.
The deep borehole seismometer was installed last May at depths of 500m, 780m, and 1400m underground as part of the geothermal power plant site safety management project to observe microearthquakes occurring in the Pohang area more precisely and accurately.
However, due to a cause presumed to be groundwater inflow into the seismometer, the operation of the seismometers at 780m and 1400m underground was suspended last year. Discussions on retrieval for repair and reinstallation were conducted through various channels such as residents' briefings, civic group meetings, and expert advisory committees.
At that time, various opinions were exchanged regarding the timing of the deep borehole seismometer retrieval, but experts agreed to postpone the retrieval until the operation of the normally functioning 500m underground seismometer was stopped, in order to minimize the observation gap caused by the retrieval.
At the end of July, the 500m underground seismometer also ceased operation. In consultation with Pohang City, the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning and 'Heesong Geotech' established a plan for retrieving the deep borehole seismometer. To minimize the observation gap, the surface seismometers within the geothermal power plant site are operating normally.
As the first step for retrieving the deep borehole seismometer, a residents' briefing was held on the 5th to share and communicate with residents about the progress of the safety management project and the plans for retrieval and reinstallation of the deep borehole seismometer.
Heesong Geotech stated that there is no possibility of earthquakes during the seismometer retrieval work as the ground will not be disturbed, and they will safely retrieve the deep borehole seismometer.
To ensure the smooth retrieval of the deep borehole seismometer, a foreign seismometer specialist has arrived in the country. After the residents' briefing, expert opinions will be gathered through advisory committees, and the complete retrieval is planned to be carried out by the end of this week.
A Pohang City official said, "We hope the geothermal power plant site safety management project will be promptly normalized to alleviate citizens' anxiety about earthquakes and ensure safety," and added, "We will provide maximum support to ensure the smooth progress of the deep borehole seismometer retrieval and reinstallation."
Even during the retrieval and reinstallation period of the deep borehole seismometer, 20 surface seismometers already operating near the geothermal power plant site can observe even minor earthquakes.
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