Application of geophysical logs to estimate moisture-content profiles in unsaturated tuff, Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Determination of the moisture content in boreholes, drilled for the purpose of conducting hydrological studies in the unsaturated zone, is critical in the evaluation of the natural state of the unsaturated zone. Geophysical logs combined with geologic and hydrologic examination of the borehole cuttings provide a means to estimate moisture-content profiles. Interpretations of geophysical well logs for unsaturated, welded, and fractured tuff have not been attempted previously. This paper compares the results of analyses of various geophysical logs that were obtained from two large diameter, air-drilled (vacuum reverse circulation) boreholes at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, that were drilled as part of the Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations Project of the US Department of Energy. Caliper, gamma-ray, temperature, induction, density, epithermal-neutron, and dielectric logs were run in these boreholes. Moisture-content data from the drill cuttings were compared with moisture-content data derived from logs. Saturation profiles were obtained from different logs and were correlated with each other. Qualitative correlation of the degree of welding with bulk density also was conducted; overall correlations were satisfactory. Borehole geophysical logs proved reliable in determining moisture-content profiles. 6 refs., 9 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States). Dept. of Geophysics
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI08-78ET44802
- OSTI ID:
- 59847
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8511172--5; ON: DE86008846
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Geophysical borehole logging in the unsaturated zone, Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Geophysical borehole logging in the unsaturated zone, Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Related Subjects
58 GEOSCIENCES
AIR
BOREHOLES
BULK DENSITY
CALIPER LOGGING
DRILLING FLUIDS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GAMMA LOGGING
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
INDUCTION LOGGING
MOISTURE
MOISTURE GAGES
NEUTRON LOGGING
POROSITY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
ROCK DRILLING
TEMPERATURE SURVEYS
TUFF
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
VACUUM SYSTEMS
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project