China has quietly launched a record-breaking drill deep into the Earth's crust, targeting a layer untouched for over 100 million years. Hidden in a remote desert, the project blends cutting-edge science with bold ambition—and could reveal secrets buried far below what anyone has explored before.
In the sweltering heart of the Taklimakan Desert, China has begun sinking a borehole more than 11,000 meters deep into the Earth’s crust — a feat that could reshape how we understand the planet’s interior. The project, launched in May 2024, is one of... [3687 chars]