Rock property analysis of core samples from the Calico Hills UE25a-3 borehole, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

Technical Report · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:59826

Anderson, L A

Core samples from the Calico Hills UE25a-3 borehole were measured for density, porosity, resistivity, induced polarization, compressional sonic velocity, and magnetic properties as part of the radioactive waste disposal site identification studies currently in progress at the Nevada Test Site. The samples were representative of three distinct subunits of argillite underlain by a marble section, all believed to be in the Mississippian part of the Eleana Formation. Because of a history of regional structural deformation, subsequent fracturing, and various degrees of fracture rehealing, the rock properties measured are highly variable within each principal rock section. Porosity changes affect virtually all rock properties measured except for magnetic intensity, and grain-density evidence shows that compositional differences are also a factor in producing the observed variability in rock properties. The induced polarization response is high in the argillite section owing to the concentration of pyrite, magnetite, and possible clay minerals within the fracture-filling material. The relatively high remanent and induced magnetization of the altered argillite subunit is a distinguishing feature of that section of argillite.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AI08-78ET44802
• OSTI ID: 59826
• Report Number(s): USGS-OFR--81-1337; ON: DE86008362
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
58 GEOSCIENCES
ARGILLITE
BOREHOLES
BULK DENSITY
DRILL CORES
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
NEVADA TEST SITE
POLARIZATION
POROSITY
VELOCITY
Yucca Mountain Project