2024 Year in Review
2024 was a year of impressive milestones and achievements at America’s Underground Lab.
DUNE Excavation Completed
The excavation for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) was officially completed shortly after the beginning of the year. The three colossal caverns are at the core of the research project that spans an underground area about the size of eight soccer fields. In August, the international collaboration celebrated during an official ribbon cutting 4850 feet underground.
SURF completes first phase of expansion for underground research space
The new access tunnel, called a drift, will lead into two large caverns intended to house future generations of cutting-edge underground research. “This important milestone puts SURF one step closer to the expansion of high-value research space that will attract world-leading underground science for decades to come,” said Mike Headley, executive director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) and the laboratory director at SURF.
LUX-ZEPLIN sets a world record
Researchers working on LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ), set a new record in the global hunt for dark matter narrowing down possibilities for one of the leading dark matter candidates: weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs. LZ is maintained by a talented team of scientists, engineers, technicians, and students whose tireless labor keeps the experiment running a mile underground.
Breakthroughs in biology
Ongoing research in the field of biology at SURF included the discovery of a set of microbes by faculty at South Dakota Mines that could aid in the ability to sequester carbon in rock layers underground. Northwestern University’s Deep Mine Microbial Observatory (DeMMO) completed a decade of work at SURF researching life in extreme underground environments. Black Hills State University’s work on biofilms at SURF continued to yield new possibilities.
The Institute: a year of intellectual community building
In its inaugural year, The Institute for Underground Science at SURF fostered an incredible range of interdisciplinary collaboration and community building. The Institute brought together particle physicists from around the world for the annual CETUP* workshop for five weeks of meetings, evening mixers, and pub talks. The Institute also launched the Deeper Talks lecture series, hosted the GPN Quantum Research Collaboration, the QuarkNet Lead Teacher Cornerstone Workshop, and the Higher Ed Connections Workshops and welcomed the 2024 Davis-Bahcall Scholars for a once-in-a-lifetime science learning summer program. In total, these six programs included 360 people from 24 countries around the world. The Institute will celebrate these achievements and more from the past year on Jan. 9th during the monthly Deep Talks event from 5-7 p.m. at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center.
SURF passes 1-million-hour safety milestone
SURF is recognizing 1 million hours of time worked without an on-the-job injury that led to an employee taking a leave of absence.
SDSTA celebrates 20 years
The SDSTA is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The authority was created by state lawmakers and signed into state statute by then Governor Mike Rounds in 2004.
Neutrino Day sets another record
See the slideshow from Neutrino Day 2024!
SURF's annual summer science festival in Lead, Neutrino Day, surpassed 2200 attendees in 2024, a new record attendence.
Education at SURF by the numbers
16,000
The number of students reached in hands-on STEM education across the region.
3625
The number of contact hours SURF completed with STEM teachers in professional education courses and workshops.
SURF part of BHSU-led team awarded $8M NSF Grant for STEM Education in South Dakota
SURF plays a unique role in supporting K-12 teachers and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders in South Dakota.
Davis-Bahcall Scholars draw inspiration during STEM focused globe-trot
Some members of the 2024 Davis-Bahcall cohort reflect on their travels and takeaways following the annual program.
2024 Artist in Residence: Marty Two Bulls Jr.
Two Bulls' exhibit titled “Inyan Wakan” at Black Hills State University’s Ruddell Gallery was inspired by his time as an Artist in Residence at SURF.
SURF launches Deep Roots at Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ
SURF’s new Deep Roots summer lecture series was held at the facility’s ethnobotanical garden, Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ.
Protecting the environment
The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) has treated and released 10 billion gallons of water over the course of more than 15 years of operations. During this time SURF had zero violations of water quality standards in annual studies showing healthy fish and aquatic life downstream.
Supporting our neighbors
Employees at Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) raised $8,000 during October’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser.
The SURF rebrand
SURF’s vision is to be the world’s preferred location for underground science and education; the new brand is part of advancing that mission.
Blue was chosen for SURF’s new brand as it better ties together our family of brands including Neutrino Day, the Institute for Underground Science at SURF, and the SURF Foundation.
SURF workhorses celebrate 90 years of service to the deep underground
The hoists that transport personnel and equipment between the surface and the depths of the facility are the beating heart of everything at SURF.