Geoneutrino detectors map Earth's radioactive interior
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A global network of detectors is reporting substantial measurements of geoneutrinos, particles produced by radioactive decay deep underground. The JUNO experiment in China is expected to report its first detections this year. The measurements are building a new map of Earth's volatile interior.
Key Facts
- The SNO+ experiment is located 2 kilometers underground at SNOLAB in Sudbury, Canada.
- SNO+ uses an acrylic sphere filled with 780 tons of liquid scintillator and lined with nearly 10,000 light detectors.
- The JUNO experiment near Guangzhou, China, is expected to report its first geoneutrino detections this year.
- Trillions of neutrinos, mostly from the sun, pass through the human body every second.
Underground Detection
SNO+ is buried 2 kilometers underground in the Creighton mine at SNOLAB in Sudbury, Canada. The detector consists of an acrylic sphere lined with nearly 10,000 sensitive light detectors and filled with 780 tons of oily liquid scintillator. The surrounding water and rock shield the detector from cosmic radiation, allowing rare particle interactions to be observed. Researchers shower and change into clean suits before entering the lab to minimize radioactive radon contamination.
Global Geoneutrino Network
A global network of detectors is reporting substantial measurements of geoneutrinos created by radioactive elements deep underground. The JUNO experiment, located outside Guangzhou, China, is expected to report its first geoneutrino detections this year. Geoneutrinos are produced by radioactive decay that powers Earth's tectonic activity. Neutrinos are the most abundant massive particles, but their mass is only a millionth of an electron's mass.
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