Electrical Mapping Project to Protect US Electrical Grid Complete

Nearly 20-Year Effort Maps Electrical Properties of Earth's Crust and Mantle

After nearly two decades of hard work, researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) have completed an electrical mapping project that will help protect the United States' electrical grid.

The project involved mapping the electrical properties of the Earth's crust and mantle across the contiguous United States.

This information is critical for understanding how electricity flows through the Earth and how it can be used to protect the electrical grid from damage.

Project's Importance

The electrical grid is a critical part of the United States' infrastructure, and it is essential to keep it safe from damage.

The electrical mapping project will help to do this by providing a better understanding of how electricity flows through the Earth.

This information can be used to identify potential problems and develop strategies to protect the grid from damage.

Project's Details

The project was led by Adam Schultz, a professor of geophysics at OSU.

Schultz and his team used a variety of techniques to map the electrical properties of the Earth's crust and mantle.

One technique involved using magnetotellurics, which measures the electrical conductivity of the Earth by measuring the Earth's natural electromagnetic field.

Another technique involved using seismic waves, which can be used to image the Earth's interior.

Project's Findings

The project's findings have been published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

The findings show that the electrical conductivity of the Earth's crust and mantle varies significantly across the United States.

This variation is due to a number of factors, including the type of rock that is present and the amount of water that is present.

Project's Conclusion

The electrical mapping project is a major accomplishment that will help to protect the United States' electrical grid.

The project's findings provide a better understanding of how electricity flows through the Earth, and this information can be used to identify potential problems and develop strategies to protect the grid from damage.