News | Sanford Underground Research Facility

FEATURED ARTICLES

Largest neutrino experiment in the U.S. wins Project of the Year Award

The largest neutrino experiment in the U.S. was named the Project of the Year by the Underground Construction Association for completing a significant and challenging underground construction project with little or no issues.

April 13, 2026

CO2 scrubbing microbes discovered in underground laboratory

Microbes found deep below the earth at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), a former gold mine in South Dakota, are being used to engineer enzymes that can pull CO2 gas directly from coal-fired power plant emissions.

May 26, 2026

2026 Neutrino Day crowd in the Opera House

Neutrino Day 2026

SURF’s 18th annual celebration of Neutrino Day was another huge success with more than 2400 visitors taking in the all-day event across the town of Lead. These photos may tell the story best.

See photos

Technicians rig DUNE cryostat beams for loading into the cage--the lift has begun.

SURF completes DUNE steel beam test lift

A crew of technicians, riggers, hoist operators, and engineers at SURF have successfully completed the first test lift of one of the long steel beams that will be used to construct the far detector cryostats for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE).

See Photos

ALL NEWS

SURF advances $1 million EPA Brownfields grant to remove asbestos

SURF continues work on a $1 million Brownfields Multipurpose Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess and remediate asbestos in multiple historic buildings.

February 20, 2026
SURF salutes 2026 outstanding South Dakota STEM Educators

The South Dakota Science Teaching Association recognized four teachers for their outstanding efforts to provide extraordinary opportunities and support for students to succeed in science.

February 17, 2026
SURF Operations team goes above and beyond to safely complete dewatering repairs during cold snap

When a wintertime stint of sub-zero weather at SURF coincided with unexpected repairs that led to a frozen pipe, the Operations Team, which maintains the 370 miles of underground tunnels and shafts and 223 surface acres at SURF, sprang into action.

February 10, 2026
SURF champions STEM education, teacher leaders, at 2026 state conference

The Sanford Underground Research Facility’s (SURF) Education and Outreach team shared SURF’s mission with educators across the state at the 2026 South Dakota Science, Technology, Education, and Math (STEM) Education Conference.

February 10, 2026
2023 Davis-Bahcall Scholar, Connor Matthies, designs experiment to test innovative cooling jets

This article, by South Dakota State University, highlights the research of Connor Matthies, a 2023 Davis-Bahcall Scholar at SURF.

February 03, 2026
Rachel Berg, 2026 SURF Artist in Residence, makes a Homecoming to Lead

Rachel Berg spent part of her childhood in Lead and is returning as the 2026 Artist in Residence at SURF. Berg is an interdisciplinary Mnicoujou Lakota artist whose work is rooted in observation of the natural world and Lakota values.

February 02, 2026
SURF User Association opens executive committee nominations

Association members are encouraged to apply or nominate a colleague before Feb. 20, 2026.

January 27, 2026
SURF launches John Bahcall Colloquium with inaugural lecture by Neta Bahcall in Rapid City

The Institute for Underground Science at SURF is launching the John Bahcall Colloquium, a monthly series of scientific lectures to build intellectual community while delving into the wide range of disciplines being researched at SURF.

January 27, 2026
Mike Headley named to list of Honorary Commanders at Ellsworth Air Force Base

The Honorary Commander program is designed to strengthen the relationship between the base and the surrounding community by exposing individuals to the mission through first hand experiences.

January 21, 2026

LET’S DIG DEEPER

Stay up-to-date on our latest news and upcoming events.

Subscribe to Deep Thoughts