A borehole is a hole drilled into the Earth's crust to access subsurface water, oil or gas. It can also refer to a deep well that taps into an aquifer for human consumption or irrigation purposes.
Usage examples
Drilling a deep borehole is essential for extracting groundwater in areas with limited water resources.
Geologists use boreholes to obtain rock samples and study the Earth's subsurface composition.
Before constructing a building, engineers conduct tests by drilling boreholes to assess the soil stability and suitability for foundation support.
Boreholes can serve as a means of monitoring the environmental impact of underground waste disposal by measuring changes in groundwater quality.
In mining operations, geologists employ boreholes to determine the presence and distribution of valuable minerals.
Boreholes are used in geothermal energy projects to extract heat from deep underground reservoirs for power generation.
Researchers studying the effects of climate change analyze ice cores obtained from boreholes drilled into glaciers and polar ice caps.
Water well contractors drill boreholes to reach aquifers and provide communities with a sustainable source of drinking water.
Boreholes in oil and gas exploration help identify potential reserves by collecting samples and measuring underground pressure.
Environmental scientists perform soil and groundwater sampling through boreholes to assess contamination levels and devise remediation strategies.
Little Ice Age cold interval in West Antarctica: Evidence from borehole temperature at the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide. (usap-dc.org)
The truth is that if you don't know how things work in borehole drilling business, you are likely going to struggle to make profits and keep the business going. (profitableventure.com)
It hosts one of the shallowest offshore groundwater reservoirs globally, and Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 317 collected a wealth of borehole data in this region in 2009 and 2010 [Post et al., 2013]. (eos.org)