JDTexas84 t1_j6g2td3 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 2:01 AM

Reply to comment by milkytrizzle93 in Eli5....can you dig a well anywhere and hit water...and how did the early ranchers in the West know where to dig for water. Especially in the really dry areas? by pinkshrinkrn

The deepest anyone has ever been able to dig is about 8 miles. Every team that has tried has hit an impenetrable barrier keeping them from digging beyond this.

blanchasaur t1_j6g7k5u wrote on January 30, 2023 at 2:33 AM

It's not so much an impenetrable barrier but it just gets way too hot down that far. The rock starts acting more like a liquid at higher temperatures and fills in the hole. The drill breaks down faster too.

ManyCarrots t1_j6h0vck wrote on January 30, 2023 at 6:47 AM

Please tell me you dont actually think there is an impenetrable barrier