GEO Center at the KTB

The continental deep drilling program of the Federal Republic of Germany with two extra-deep boreholes (4,000 and 9,101 meters) represents a drilling masterpiece that is unique in the world and yielded essential new insights into the structure and processes in the upper crust of the earth. The GEO Center at the KTB offers guided tours, documentation and demonstration pieces on the two boreholes and the Earth system, which is explored with deep boreholes.

This is where the continental plates of Europe and Africa collided 340 million years ago. Therefore, the deepest borehole in Europe (9101m) was drilled here in order to collect more precise information about it. You can find out more about the results here in the museum.

The first deep drilling (up to 4,000 m) began in 1987 near Windischeschenbach. In 1990 the second hole was started. After 1468 days, 9,101 meters were reached and the second deepest hole in the world was drilled. A temperature of 265 degrees Celsius measured at this depth. Because the measuring devices reached their limits, drilling was finished.
The derrick is still standing and is a remarkable industrial monument. There is also an interesting information center here.