Even More
The drastic temperature difference wasn’t the only problem the team faced. Additionally, the researchers learned that the rocks at this depth were less dense than they once thought. This caused higher and unpredictable temperatures.
Abandoning
Once the team understood the new conditions they were working with, they decided to cancel the project. They made this decision because they knew the equipment couldn’t last in such unpredictable and hot conditions. At this time, it had been 22 years since they started the project.