Subsurface geology of the Cold Creek syncline

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5671908· OSTI ID:5671908

Meyers, C W; Price, S M ^[1]

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1. eds.

Bedrock beneath the Hanford Site is being evaluated by the Basalt Waste Isolation Project (BWIP) for possible use by the US Department of Energy as a geologic repository for nuclear waste storage. Initial BWIP geologic and hydrologic studies served to determine that the central Hanford Site contains basalt flows with thick, dense interiors that have low porosities and permeabilities. Furthermore, within the Cold Creek syncline, these flows appear to be nearly flat lying across areas in excess of tens of square kilometers. Such flows have been identified as potential repository host rock candidates. The Umtanum flow, which lies from 900 to 1150 m beneath the surface, is currently considered the leading host rock candidate. Within the west-central Cold Creek syncline, a 47-km/sup 2/ area designated as the reference repository location (RRL) is currently considered the leading candidate site. The specific purpose of this report is to present current knowledge of stratigraphic, lithologic, and structural factors that directly relate to the suitability of the Umtanum flow within the Cold Creek syncline for use as a nuclear waste repository host rock. The BWIP geologic studies have concentrated on factors that might influence groundwater transport of radionuclides from this flow. These factors include: (1) intraflow structures within the interiors of individual lava flows, (2) interflow zones and flow fronts between adjacent lava flows, and (3) bedrock structures. Data have been obtained primarily through coring and geophysical logging of deep boreholes, petrographic, paleomagnetic, and chemical analysis, seismic-reflection, gravity, and magnetic (ground and multilevel airborne) surveys, and surface mapping. Results included in this document comprise baseline data which will be utilized to prepare a Site Characterization Report as specified by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-77RL01030
• OSTI ID: 5671908
• Report Number(s): RHO-BWI-ST-14; ON: DE82007589
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580100 -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
580200* -- Geophysics-- (-1989)
BASALT
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
DRILL CORES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GRAVITY SURVEYS
GROUND WATER
HANFORD RESERVATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
LAVA
LITHOLOGY
MAGNETIC SURVEYS
MANAGEMENT
MAPPING
MASS TRANSFER
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROGRAPHY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
REFLECTIVITY
ROCKS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
STRATIGRAPHY
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURVEYS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER
WELL LOGGING