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Muography—widely regarded as a powerful technique for probing the hidden interior of mountains and geological structures—is emerging as a breakthrough technology in Taiwan. Research teams from National Central University (NCU) and the Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, have developed a new generation of muon detectors and successfully applied Muography to Earth sciences, redefining traditional geophysical exploration and injecting new momentum into sustainable national development.
Professor Kuo Chia-Ming of NCU’s Department of Physics explained that muons are fundamental particles produced when cosmic rays interact with Earth’s atmosphere. Thanks to their exceptional penetrating power, muons can pass through hundreds of meters of rock, making them ideal probes for Muography-based subsurface imaging. The research team employs scintillators combined with silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) to construct a compact, low-power, and highly stable sensing system. This design is well suited for long-term field deployment and significantly reduces equipment size and maintenance requirements—key factors enabling the successful implementation of Muography in Taiwan.
Professor Chen Chien-Chih of NCU’s Department of Earth Sciences noted that Taiwan’s complex geological setting, steep terrain, and exposure to multiple natural hazards—including volcanoes, landslides, geothermal activity, and underground engineering challenges—make it an ideal natural laboratory for Muography research. Beyond academic advances, the technology holds strong potential for practical applications, such as geothermal resource development, geological carbon dioxide storage, and even site assessment and monitoring for high-level radioactive waste disposal.
In early 2025, the team completed Taiwan’s first field Muography experiment above the sediment-control tunnel at Shihmen Reservoir in Taoyuan. By the end of 2025, the researchers plan to focus on the Datun Volcano Group near Taipei, using Muography to reconstruct internal density structures. The results are expected to enhance understanding of volcanic hydrothermal systems and potential volcanic activity. Looking ahead, the team aims to deploy four large-scale Muography detector arrays to enable multi-directional observations and transition the technology from exploration to continuous monitoring.
From cosmic rays to the depths of mountains, and from high-energy physics to Earth sciences, this interdisciplinary collaboration is turning the once science-fiction concept of “X-raying the Earth” into a practical and transformative reality.
