SURF Deep Talks celebrates the start of DUNE excavation

LEAD, SD— Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) invites the public to our virtual event, “Deep Talks: Move it, skip it, dump it” on Thursday, April 8, from 6 to 7 p.m. MT.

Attendees will explore the newly refurbished Ross Hoistroom and trace the path that rock will travel during future excavation—from the 4850 Level, up the Ross Shaft, along the conveyor and into the Open Cut. Both the hoistroom and the conveyance system are critical to constructing the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF), which will support the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). Leading this virtual experience is Mike Headley, executive director of SURF, and Joshua Willhite, Fermilab’s conventional facilities manager for the work in South Dakota.

“Mobilization of staff and equipment starts this week at SURF to begin major excavation activities to build the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility,” Headley said. “Along with Fermilab, we’re excited for this milestone and to share the substantial facility upgrades that will make this project a reality."

DUNE is the world’s flagship neutrino experiment, bringing together more than 1,000 scientists from more than 30 countries and infusing millions of dollars into local, state and global economies. The experiment, hosted by the Department of Energy’s Fermilab with locations at Fermilab and Sanford Lab, requires the construction of LBNF, an upgrade to the particle accelerator complex at Fermilab and the excavation of more than 800,000 tons of rock at SURF.

Attendees can join this free event via Zoom webinar to answer polls and submit questions for speakers or watch live on SURF’s Facebook page. Webinar space is limited; early registration is encouraged.

View full event information and register for the Zoom webinar on SURF’s website.

This event is part of SURF’s Deep Talks lecture series, a monthly series ushering scientific discussions into the public sphere. In the 2020-2021 season, Deep Talks will bring voices from the international scientific community to your home through our virtual format. The Deep Talks lecture series is sponsored by Chuck and Jolene Lichtenwalner, Crow Peak Brewing Company, RCS Construction and Northern Hills Federal Credit Union. 

Sanford Lab is operated by the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) with funding from the Department of Energy Office of Science. Our mission is to advance world class science and inspire learning across generations. Visit Sanford Lab at www.SanfordLab.org.