2023 Year in Review
Each year, teams across Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations.
Here’s what that looked like in 2023.
Advancing multiple disciplines of scientific discovery
The excavation for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment is ongoing. Following the completion of the caverns, the next phase includes outfitting and construction for the DUNE detectors at SURF. This is all part of the construction for the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility.
Published results by researchers working on LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) make it the top dark matter experiment of its kind on the planet. LZ leads the global race to directly detect dark matter.
SURF is now home to the next generation of geothermal energy research through the DOE Energy Earthshots initiative. This includes the Center for Understanding Subsurface Signals and Permeability (CUSSP) experiment led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. This experiment will help scientists better understand how fluids transfer heat and interact with deep underground rock fractures over the long term.
The tantalum-180 experiment surpassed previous measurements by two orders of magnitude. In February, researchers announced initial measurements based on the first 229 days of data-taking from the experiment located nearly a mile underground at SURF.
The CETUP* conference drew leading physicists, theorists, and experimentalists to Lead, SD. SURF revived the conference, which had been held annually from 2011 through 2016, as part of the newly formed Institute for Underground Science at SURF.
The Deep Mine Microbial Observatory, or DeMMO, returned to SURF celebrating 10 years of research on site and laying the foundation in the ongoing search for extremophiles.
Researchers published the “final word on the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR,” and reflected on the mission of the experiment that lasted nearly six years at SURF.
South Dakota invests in the future of world-leading science at SURF
The State of South Dakota allocated $13M to expand the underground footprint at SURF with new space for future experiments. On March 23, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed Senate Bill 35 to allocate $13 million for the expansion of SURF.
US particle physics panel recommends SURF for future expansion, extended neutrino and dark matter research
An international panel of physicists that convenes once each decade is recommending new and expanded projects at SURF.
Neutrino Day 2023
SURF’s 15th annual Neutrino Day drew 2,000 attendees to Lead, South Dakota. Guests explored the science happening beneath their feet, across the nation, and around the globe.
SURF hosts grand opening of new H2O Workshop at the Washington Pavilion
The H2O Workshop is an immersive water experience and one-of-a-kind exhibit that includes interactive, colorful, and educational features to help children learn about the phases of water.
7,400
18,000
7,400 attendees at public events
Like Neutrino Day, Deep Talks, and presentations around the state.
18,000 students reached across the state and region
With hands-on activities that empower STEM learning for all students.
Institute for Underground Science at SURF launched
The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) has launched The Institute for Underground Science at SURF, which will serve as a hub for leading scientists from various fields that conduct research underground. The Institute will unite the global underground scientific community to inspire discovery and build intellectual community in fields such as physics, biology, geology, and other disciplines.
SURF celebrates two years with no injuries that result in time away from work
SURF recognized two years without an on-the-job injury that resulted in loss of time at work. Julie Ewing, Director of the Environment, Safety and Health Department credits this milestone to the strong safety culture across the entire organization that extends to the multiple partners who work at the facility.
SURF E&O Team builds workforce of tomorrow
The SURF Education & Outreach (E&O) team takes students from “learning about” to “figuring out” scientific concepts through the investigation of scientific phenomena. The E&O team uses field trips, school presentations, and curriculum units to ignite student curiosity in small groups and classrooms around the region. In 2022-2023 the team reached nearly 18,000 K-12 students with hands-on activities and learning interactions. This article in the journal Frontiers in Physics champions the work of the SURF E&O team.
Beyond K-12 education
SURF welcomed ten summer interns, inviting them to explore a career in their chosen field. They spent the summer combining hands-on experience, targeted mentorships, project planning, and everyday business conversations with SURF professionals at all levels. In 2023, eight Davis-Bahcall Scholars explored the real world of modern research. A tour of universities and laboratories in the United States and Europe provided insight into where their passions for science, technology, engineering, and math could take them.
SURF completes construction of Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ
The ethnobotanical garden is located on a hilltop meadow at SURF overlooking the town of Lead and the surrounding Black Hills. The addition of native plants is planned for the spring of 2024, with programming at the site beginning in early summer.
Protecting our environment
SURF is on the site of the former Homestake Mine. It was once the deepest underground gold mine in North America. The underground workings of the mine are continually filling with water. If left unchecked, this water would eventually fill most of the Open Cut in Lead and drain untreated into Whitewood Creek. To keep area streams clean and healthy, SURF treats and monitors the water pumped out of the site, this includes annual checks on the health of the fish population downstream.
2023 Artists in Residence: Nicholas Kahn and Richard Selesnick
SURF’s 2023 artists in residence Nicholas Kahn and Richard Selesnick created whimsical artworks that explored and illuminated the science, landscapes, and people at and around SURF.
Supporting our neighbors
SURF helped raise $11,075 during October’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser for Foundation for Health. The SURF community hosted a Trunk or Treat event that drew more than 400 attendees; held a blood drive to meet local and national needs; donated food items to Kiewit-Alberici Joint Venture’s fifth annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, and donated to the annual Lead Festival of Trees charity auction.
SURF completed successful upgrade to the Sanford Underground Research Facility's (SURF) Oro Hondo fan complex
The successful upgrade to the SURF’s Oro Hondo fan complex ensures uninterrupted air supply to support world-leading research at SURF, including Fermilab's Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE).