A regional study examining underground geothermal energy will begin scanning the earth beneath Amsterdam this month using specialized vibrating trucks and small seismic charges.
The project is managed by the Seismic Campaign Geothermal Energy Netherlands (Scan), which aims to map subsurface layers in three dimensions to locate naturally occurring heat sources.
Mapping subterranean heat layers
Researchers previously placed thousands of small gray-orange geophone sensors across the city last autumn. Those sensors generated seven terabytes of data, which team members are now using alongside new field measurements to build a comprehensive cross section of the terrain.
Starting August 17, testing crews will survey 160 kilometers of land along twelve distinct lines across Greater Amsterdam. The initial phase begins in Amsterdam Noord with an east-west trajectory before expanding across the IJ and into nearby areas.
Heavy vehicles equipped with specialized baseplates will travel along paved roads, stopping every 20 meters to deliver brief vibrations into the ground. On soft terrain such as parks or meadows, teams will drill shallow holes and detonate small seismic charges to achieve a similar acoustic effect.
Nighttime testing and local impacts
Sound waves from the equipment reflect off deep earth layers back up to the surface sensors, helping geologists map the depth and structure of potential heat reservoirs.
The complete survey covers fourteen surrounding municipalities, including Zaanstad, Haarlemmermeer, and Gooise Meren, with field operations scheduled to run through December.
Some work is intentionally scheduled during nighttime hours to avoid traffic congestion and capture clearer acoustic data. Nearby residents will receive written advance notices, though project leaders note that vibrations in homes will generally feel comparable to a heavy truck or tram passing by.
Once field measurements wrap up, researchers will process the gathered data into a subsurface model. Local authorities and energy planners hope the resulting maps will clarify where deep heat extraction can eventually support sustainable heating networks across the Municipality of Amsterdam.
