Recent advances in quantum technology have made operational quantum gravimeters possible, surpassing conventional devices in precision and versatility. In this context, the EU-funded EQUIP-G project will deploy a network of Absolute Quantum Gravimeters (AQG) across Europe, forming the first terrestrial segment of a pan-European quantum gravimetry infrastructure. This network will support key priorities like the Green Deal, energy management, and risk mitigation. It aims to democratise access to advanced quantum gravity instruments and build a strong European gravimetry community through rigorous testing and FAIR data management.
In this context, section 2.2 of the GFZ takes part in one of the selected test cases, the Theistareykir geothermal reservoir (North Iceland). Section 2.2 of GFZ has been monitoring subsurface mass transfers with a multiparameter network, including two superconducting gravity (SG) meters, since 2017. Due to instrumental drift, SGs cannot precisely detect relatively small gravity changes occurring over time scales of months to years and absolute measurements have been performed to correct for it. More Information regarding the Research Infrastructure.
Within Equip-G, GFZ and the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI) and GFZ will perform three 3-month campaigns of quantum gravimetry in the geothermal field. In each campaign, the AQG will perform continuous measurements at the SG installation sites, providing (a) absolute gravity reference to correct the drift on the data from the SGs, as well as (b) time-series offering independent insight into the short-term (days to weeks) gravity changes induced by the redistributions of the geothermal masses.
Time Frame
- 06/2025 - 05/2029
Funding
- EU
Principal Investigators
Personnel
Cooperations
- NLS-FGI - https://www.maanmittauslaitos.fi/en/research
- Landsvirkjun - https://www.landsvirkjun.com/
- GFZ Section 4.4
Publications
Forster, F., Güntner, A., Jousset, P., Reich, M., Männel, B., Hinderer, J., Erbas, K. (2022): Correction: Environmental and anthropogenic gravity contributions at the Þeistareykir geothermal field, North Iceland. - Geothermal Energy, 10, 31.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-022-00237-z
Giuliante, B., Jousset, P., Krawczyk, C., Hinderer, J., Riccardi, U., Portier, N., Forster, F., Mortensen, A. K. (2024): Subsurface mass modelling at Theistareykir geothermal field, Iceland, using hybrid gravimetry - Abstracts, EGU General Assembly 2024 (Vienna, Austria and Online 2024).
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-19542
Giuliante, B., Jousset, P., Krawczyk, C., Hinderer, J., Riccardi, U., Toledo, T., Forster, F., Mortensen, A. (2023): Modelling mass balance and stress transfer at Krafla and Theistareykir geothermal systems, Iceland - Abstracts, EGU General Assembly 2023 (Vienna, Austria and Online 2023).
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-8358
Hinderer, J., Warburton, R. J., Rosat, S., Riccardi, U., Boy, J.-P., Forster, F., Jousset, P., Güntner, A., Erbas, K., Littel, F., Bernard, J.-D. (2022): Intercomparing Superconducting Gravimeter Records in a Dense Meter-Scale Network at the J9 Gravimetric Observatory of Strasbourg, France. - Pure and Applied Geophysics, 179, 1701-1727.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-022-03000-4
Jousset, P., Hersir, G., Currenti, G., Wollin, C., Diaz Meza, S. A., Allegra, M., Maaß, R., Prestifilippo, M., Gudnason, E., Napoli, R., Krawczyk, C. (2024): Long-term monitoring of seismic and volcanic activity using distributed fibre optic sensing: examples in Iceland (2015-2024) and Italy (2018-2024) - Abstracts, EGU General Assembly 2024 (Vienna, Austria and Online 2024).
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-13091
Erbas, K., Toledo, T., Naranjs, D., Metz, M., Rietz, F., Forster, F., Jousset, P. (2021): Dataset of the 3P seismic network at the Theistareykir geothermal area, Iceland.
https://doi.org/10.14470/8C7562967492
Toledo, T., Obermann, A., Verdel, A., Martins, J. E., Jousset, P., Mortensen, A. K., Erbas, K., Krawczyk, C. (2022): Ambient seismic noise monitoring and imaging at the Theistareykir geothermal field (Iceland). - Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 429, 107590.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2022.107590