Geologic studies of the Columbia Plateau: a status report

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:6681240

Myers, C W; Price, S M

The results of recent geologic studies of the Columbia Plateau, with emphasis on work completed under the Basalt Waste Isolation Project, Rockwell Hanford Operations, are summarized in this report. Geologic studies were performed mostly during the period from 1977 to 1979. The major objective of these studies was to examine the feasibility of using deep underground tunnels mined into Columbia River basalt beneath the Hanford Site for final storage of nuclear waste. The results are presented in four chapters: Introduction; Regional Geology; Pasco Basin Geology; and Seismicity and Tectonics. Results from surface mapping and remote sensing studies in the Washington State portion of the Columbia Plateau are presented in the Regional Geology chapter. Results from surface mapping, borehole studies, and geophysical surveys in the Pasco Basin are presented in the Pasco Basin Geology chapter. Results that relate to the tectonic stability of the Pasco Basin and Columbia Plateau and discussion of findings from earthquake monitoring in the region for the past ten years are summarized in the Seismicity and Tectonics chapter. A volume of Appendices is included. This volume contains a description of study tasks, a description of the methodology used in geophysical surveys the geophysical survey results, a summary of earthquake records in eastern Washington, a description of tectonic provinces, and a preliminary description of the regional tectonic setting of the Columbia Plateau.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6681240
• Report Number(s): RHO-BWI-ST-4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050200 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Exploration-- (-1987)
052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
510500 -- Environment
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BASALT
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
DRILL CORES
GEOLOGY
GEOMORPHOLOGY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
LITHOLOGY
MANAGEMENT
MAPS
NORTH AMERICA
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
REMOTE SENSING
ROCKS
SEISMOLOGY
STRATIGRAPHY
SURVEYS
TECTONICS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
USA
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASHINGTON
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT