Site selection and evaluation studies of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), Los Medanos, Eddy County, NM

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5203486· OSTI ID:5203486

Griswold, G B

Bedded-salt deposits of the Salado Formation have been selected for evaluation for a proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) to be located in Eddy County, NM, approximately 26 mi east of Carlsbad. Site selection and evaluation studies that included geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, drilling, and resource appraisal were conducted over and under the prospective location. The lower portion of the Salado meets essential criteria for waste isolation. Beds chosen for waste storage lie 2074 to 2730 ft below the surface. High-purity salt exists at these depths, and the geologic structure revealed by geophysical surveys indicates that these beds are essentially flat. Additional geophysical surveys are now under way. The initial interpretation of the new data indicates that more structure may exist in the salt beds in the northern portion of the site area. Full evaluation of potentially commercial deposits of potash and natural gas within the WIPP site will be reported by separate studies, as will be the hydrologic details of the region.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 5203486
• Report Number(s): SAND-77-0946; TRN: 78-005798
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
PILOT PLANTS
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
MAPS
NEW MEXICO
SALT DEPOSITS
SITE SELECTION
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
STORAGE
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage