In 1976, the focus of the geothermal effort shifted towards potential applications of geothermal energy as an alternate energy resource. Improvements in heat pump technology have recently led to more widespread use of geothermal energy for space heating in Virginia. As part of its drilling program, the Department of Geological Sciences at Virginia Tech drilled all of the holes in crystalline bedrock, except for the deep test site at Crisfield, MD. Tech also drilled several holes in or through the sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The sites on the Atlantic Coastal Plain were chosen by Virginia Tech in cooperation with federal and state agencies. Most of the 1000-ft holes drilled into the sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain were drilled by Gruy Federal, Inc., under a $1.8 million dollar contract from the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Service Co., Houston, was the actual subcontractor for the drilling, which began in June, 1978, and continued over a period of one year.

From 1976-79, research was supported by U.S. Department of Energy Contracts E-(40-1)-5103 (May 1, 1976 - Sept. 30, 1977), ET-78-C-05-5648 (Oct. 1, 1977 - Sept. 30, 1979), and DE-AC05-78ET-27001 (Oct. 1, 1979 - June 30, 1982) to Principal Investigators John K. Costain, Professor of Geophysics, and Lynn Glover, III, Professor of Geology. Dr. Krishna Sinha was a Principal Investigator from 1977-1979. Only Drs. J.K. Costain, L. Glover, III, and J.A. Speer provided continuous service to this program since its inception. Most of the Laboratory Technicians listed below and in Final Report VPI&SU-78ET-27001-12 to the U.S. Department of Energy were associated with the Vibroseis Program, which did not begin until April, 1979. Periods of employment of administrative assistants, bookkeepers, and many other personnel did not overlap. Others were employed on a part-time basis.

Special thanks are due John Wonderley and Bob Montgomery, both computer and instrumentation specialists and not on the list below because both were employed by Virginia Tech in the Department of Geological Sciences. Without their skillful technical expertise the geophysics program in general, and the heat flow and reflection seismology programs in particular, could not have succeeded. The national reputation that the geophysics program enjoys owes much to the fine support the program received from Virginia Tech.

The following persons, listed in the order that they appeared in Final Report VPI&SU-78ET-27001-12 to the U.S. Department of Energy, were employed on one of the above contracts for this project (Coming soon! A photographic summary of people and events on this Project. Watch for your picture! Where are you now? Please let us know.).

References

• Costain, J.K., Keller, G.V., and Crewdson, R.A., 1976, Geological and geophysical study of the origin of the warm springs in Bath County, Virginia, Final Report TID-28271 to the U.S. Department of Energy, 184 pp.
• Perry, L.D., Costain, J.K., and Geiser, P.A., 1979, Heat flow in western Virginia and a model for the origin of thermal springs in the Appalachians, J. Geophysical Research, v. 84, No. B12, p. 6875-6883.

Last updated: 09/13/98