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Sanford Underground Research Facility
Deep Science Sparks Deep Curiosity
The Sanford Underground Research Facility (Surf) is America's Underground Lab, where discovery happens nearly a mile beneath the surface of the Black Hills.
What is Surf?
The Sanford Underground Research Facility is the deepest underground lab in the United States, providing a unique environment for the world's most sensitive and ambitious scientific experiments.
How do we do it?
We're glad you asked.
Why Underground?
Have you ever tried to hear a pin drop at a rock concert? Scientists at Surf conduct physics experiments underground for a critical reason: to shield the detectors from cosmic rays and other background radiation that would interfere with these sensitive experiments.
The rock overhead acts as a natural filter. This rock barrier blocks most cosmic rays and other particles that constantly bombard Earth's surface, which would otherwise create “noise” in the data, like the noise at a rock concert with an experiment that needs to hear a pin hitting the floor.
Avoiding the noise means we need to go deep underground.
We descend 4,850 feet underground, to be precise.
What Happens at Surf?
Let's Dive Into The Science.
Surf advances world-class science by hosting experiments that may answer fundamental questions about the universe. Experiments like LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ)Opens in a new tab are hunting for dark matter, while DUNE, our flagship experiment, strives to answer why we live in a matter-made universe at all.
Dune?
That sounds interesting...
What is Dune?
The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is an international flagship experiment to unlock the mysteries of neutrinos.
Dune Has Three Major Goals:
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Find out whether neutrinos could be the reason the universe is made of matter
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Look for subatomic phenomena that could help realize Einstein’s dream of the unification of forces
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Watch for neutrinos emerging from an exploding star, perhaps witnessing the birth of a neutron star or a black hole
Learn More About Neutrinos
What are Neutrinos?
Neutrinos are among the most abundant and least understood of all the particles in our universe. They have no charge, so they only interact through the weak subatomic force and gravity. They can pass right through matter — not even a million miles of lead can stop them.
Learn More about Neutrinos Opens in a new tabIs it all Physics Research?
No, Surf is a multidisciplinary laboratory.
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Geothermal Energy
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Extreme Life Underground
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Commercial Partnerships
What's It Like to Work 4,850 Feet Underground?
Why tell you when we can show you?
Watch the video to explore our dedicated research facility and go underground with the scientists at Surf conducting world-class research.
- 2 Underground Campuses
- 2,320+ Collaborators
- 305+ Institutions
- 40+ Countries
It's Not Easy to Get Underground.
But the work we do nearly a mile beneath the Earth's surface has the potential to change the world above ground on a profound level.
How Does Surf connect with learners across generations?
What are the impacts of underground research?
The research conducted underground has a massive impact on all of us above ground.
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We answer fundamental questions about the nature of the universe
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Surf keeps us globally competitive and drives future technology
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We're pioneering new geothermal energy systems
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We're empowering energy, medical, and environmental solutions
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Surf adds billions to the state and regional economy
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Our education programs reach 20,000+ students and teachers annually
