Dark matter 800 meters underground: Spain’s largest underground laboratory is in Aragon

The Canfranc Underground Laboratory ( Huesca )  is one of the leading centers in dark matter research. Dark matter constitutes approximately 85% of the universe, and its study requires optimal conditions, as it cannot be conditioned by medium levels of radioactivity.

In this unique location, far from the cosmic radiation of the surface, scientists from around the world are working to detect dark matter, one of the great unknowns of the universe. But this laboratory is not only dedicated to particle physics; it is also a benchmark for research in geology, biology, and materials technology.

CANFRANC UNDERGROUND LABORATORY: 800 METERS DEEP AND 1,200 SQUARE METERS

Located 800 meters below the Earth’s surface, the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) is one of Spain ‘s most important scientific facilities. With an area of ​​1,250 square meters, it is the second largest underground laboratory in Europe, behind only the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy.

Its strategic location, between the Somport road tunnel and the old railway tunnel, provides natural insulation from cosmic radiation, making it an ideal environment for experiments requiring extremely low levels of ambient radioactivity.

This laboratory, which belongs to Spain’s Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS) network, operates in close collaboration with other internationally renowned centers such as Snolab in Canada and Kamioka in Japan. Its advanced infrastructure allows for highly precise experiments, providing key data for the global scientific community. Thanks to its privileged location and state-of-the-art facilities, the Canfranc Laboratory is today a benchmark in underground scientific research.

A LABORATORY TO STUDY DARK MATTER… AND MUCH MORE

The Canfranc Underground Laboratory is world-renowned for its role in the search for dark matter, an invisible substance that makes up approximately 85% of the mass of the universe, but whose nature remains a mystery.

Experiments such as Anais (Annual Modulation with NaI Scintillators) are being conducted at the LSC, which seeks to detect the presence of dark matter particles by observing tiny variations in radiation. This type of research can provide essential clues about the structure and evolution of the universe.

But the work of the Canfranc Laboratory is not limited to particle physics. It also conducts research in other disciplines, such as geology, with analysis of tectonic movements and the Earth’s internal structure; biology, with studies on organisms that live in extreme conditions; and materials engineering, with testing of new radiation-resistant compounds. Its versatility and its environment free from external interference make it a 
unique location for research in multiple scientific areas.

CANFRANC LABORATORY: HOW TO REQUEST A VISIT?

For science and technology enthusiasts, the Canfranc Underground Laboratory offers guided tours where visitors can learn firsthand about the research and experiments carried out there. During the tour, visitors can delve into the facilities, discover how scientists work, and understand the importance of this laboratory in the international context.

Tours are aimed at both educational institutions and the general public and typically include a detailed explanation of the laboratory’s operation and its role in dark matter research. To access the laboratory, reservations must be made in advance through the official Canfranc Underground Laboratory website or through the designated contact channels.

Without a doubt, this is a unique opportunity to explore one of Spain’s most fascinating scientific sites and better understand the mysteries of the universe from the heart of the Pyrenees.