Limburg soil stable enough for Einstein Telescope

Measuring gravitational waves will give us a better understanding of the nature of gravity as well as more information about the origin of the universe. According to Albert Einstein, collisions of celestial bodies create distortions of space-time. As a result, heavy, energy-rich objects move through space at a higher speed, creating ‘ripples in space-time’. This produces a gravitational wave, traveling through the universe at the speed of light and very slowly losing its energy.

A colossal laser detector is needed to measure these waves. The structure, called Einstein Telescope, will consist of three tunnels, each ten kilometers in length and constructed a few hundred metres below ground. The soil must be extremely stable. Two locations are still in the race for the construction of the detector: Limburg and Sardinia. Soil research has now shown that the intended location in South Limburg is suitable for the sensitive telescope. The rocky ground in the relatively sparsely populated area is quiet and hard, guaranteeing sufficient damping of the vibrations.

Boost to regional economy and international science

Both the province and Maastricht University are happy with the results of the research. The arrival of the Einstein Telescope is expected to give a significant boost to the economy of the region, and the world of science is also looking forward to the start of the project. Since 2014, the National Institute for Subatomic Physics Nikhef has been working on gravitational waves, which were first detected a year later.

UM has recently joined the institute and appointed appointed Prof. dr. Stefan Hild early this year to work on the construction of the construction of the ‘ET Pathfinder’, a prototype of the Einstein Telescope. The construction of this "testing facility" may increase the chance of Limburg being selected. A decision is expected in a few years. The construction of the Einstein Telescope is not expected to start before 2025.