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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Geology of the USW SD-12 drill hole Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/419097· OSTI ID:419097
 [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Spectra Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Drill hole USW SD-12 is one of several holes drilled under Site Characterization Plan Study 8.3.1.4.3.1, also known as the {open_quotes}Systematic Drilling Program,{close_quotes} as part of the U.S. Department of Energy characterization program at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, which has been proposed as the potential location of a repository for high-level nuclear waste. The SD-12 drill hole is located in the central part of the potential repository area, immediately to the west of the Main Test Level drift of the Exploratory Studies Facility and slightly south of midway between the North Ramp and planned South Ramp declines. Drill hole USW SD-12 is 2166.3 ft (660.26 m) deep, and the core recovered essentially complete sections of ash-flow tuffs belonging to the lower half of the Tiva Canyon Tuff, the Pah Canyon Tuff, and the Topopah Spring Tuff, all of which are part of the Miocene Paintbrush Group. A virtually complete section of the Calico Hills Formation was also recovered, as was core from the entire Prow Pass Tuff formation of the Crater Flat Group.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
419097
Report Number(s):
SAND--96-1368; ON: DE97001807
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English