Photo caption: Volcanic glass chips from the Krafla magma chamber
The ongoing research began with an unexpected discovery in 2009, when drilling in Iceland's Krafla Geothermal Field struck molten magma at around 2,100 metres - a relatively shallow depth.
The drill cuttings contained fresh volcanic glass, formed when magma is rapidly cooled by drilling fluids, offering a rare opportunity to study magma directly within the Earth's crust.
That discovery developed into a major international research effort and multiple studies. Leading New Zealand volcanologist Professor Ben Kennedy from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) has been a contributor since 2014.
A new study by Dr Janine Birnbaum with Professor Kennedy and other researchers from Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich uses measurements from the accidental drilling encounter with molten magma to better understand how magma is stored and changes as it responds to drilling. The study was published in Nature and funded by the European Research Council.
As part of the broader studies, Professor Kennedy co-supervised three postgraduate students who analysed gases frozen in the volcanic glass fragments.
"These fragments act like time capsules," Professor Kennedy says. "They help us determine the pressure, temperature and gas content of magma beneath active volcanic systems."
Understanding how magma responds to drilling is critical. The findings will improve how scientists model volcanic eruptions, support safer geothermal development on active volcanoes, and inform future efforts to intentionally drill into magma for monitoring and renewable energy.
The research has clear applications for New Zealand, where geothermal energy and volcanic activity are closely linked.
"The research helps develop models that can be used to calculate the depths and pressures of magmas in New Zealand," Professor Kennedy says. "That's fundamental to understanding and predicting volcanic activity here."
It also supports emerging high-temperature geothermal technologies.
"This data shows why it could be safe to drill into the Krafla magma chamber and build a research facility to support high-temperature drilling," he says. "That's highly relevant as New Zealand explores superhot geothermal drilling.
"This is a great example of how international collaboration can deliver real benefits back home. What we learn in Iceland is directly helping us better understand New Zealand's volcanic hazards and energy future."
Not surprisingly, as a celebrated science communicator (awards include the 2017 Ako Aotearoa Award for Sustained Excellence in Tertiary Teaching, the 2023 Te Puiaki Whakapā Pūtaiao Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize and the UC Teaching Medal), Professor Kennedy and his team have developed educational resources based on the Krafla project, including a 'magma drillers' game used in schools across New Zealand.
"This type of science is really exciting and can grab the imagination of kids," he says. "In my mind drilling into a magma chamber is like going to the moon."
