Search for underground openings for in situ test facilities in crystalline rock
With a few exceptions, crystalline rocks in this study were limited to plutonic rocks and medium to high-grade metamorphic rocks. Nearly 1700 underground mines, possibly occurring in crystalline rock, were initially identified. Application of criteria resulted in the identification of 60 potential sites. Within this number, 26 mines and 4 civil works were identified as having potential in that they fulfilled the criteria. Thirty other mines may have similar potential. Most of the mines identified are near the contact between a pluton and older sedimentary, volcanic and metamorphic rocks. However, some mines and the civil works are well within plutonic or metamorphic rock masses. Civil works, notably underground galleries associated with pumped storage hydroelectric facilities, are generally located in tectonically stable regions, in relatively homogeneous crystalline rock bodies. A program is recommended which would identify one or more sites where a concordance exists between geologic setting, company amenability, accessibility and facilities to conduct in situ tests in crystalline rock.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Terra Tek, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (USA); Colorado School of Mines, Golden (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6758909
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-11655; TRN: 81-009148
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
SITE SELECTION
GEOLOGY
MAGMA
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
MINES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ROCKS
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
USA
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
STORAGE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage