1. Activity 36
Storing Nuclear Waste

2. Activity 36: Storing Nuclear Waste
Challenge  What are the advantages and disadvantages of storing nuclear waste in Yucca Mountain?
Key Vocabulary:
Nuclear Waste
Active Volcano
Dormant Volcano
Extinct Volcano

3. Nuclear Waste in the Yucca Mountains
Do you know where the electricity that runs our lights come from?
Ways that energy is created:
Burning of fossil fuels like coal
Heat released during nuclear reactions
What do you think the trade-off of nuclear reactions would be?
The production of Nuclear Waste

4. Nuclear Waste
Nuclear Waste  Wastes with radioactive material that were created usually as by-products of nuclear power generation
PROS
There is no risk of explosion
CONS
Risk of releasing radioactive material
Can be inhaled or ingested in food or drinking water

5. Read the Introduction and Challenge Question
Imagine that you planned to store nuclear waste somewhere in the United States. What do you think you would look for in a site?
Think about population density, likelihood of natural hazards

6. What is the difference between types of volcanoes?
Extinct Volcanoes  Volcanoes that are not expected to erupt again
Dormant Volcanoes  volcanoes that have not erupted for at least 10,000 years but may erupt again
Active Volcanoes  a volcano that is currently erupting, is showing signs of erupting, or has erupted at any time in recorded history

7. Procedure (Page D-5) Read out loud with your group
Complete with your group SS 36.1, “Analyzing Evidence: Yucca Mountain”
Use SS 36.2, “Discussion Web: Yucca Mountain” to sort the evidence. DO NOT COPY STATEMENTS DIRECTLY!!!!

8. Discussion Web: Yucca Mountain
Should Nuclear waste be stored at Yucca Mountain?
YES NO

9. Complete Analysis #1 in your notebooks!
Follow Up Discussion
In what ways did Yucca Mountain meet or not meet your original criteria for a nuclear waste storage site?
How does people’s perception of risk vs. probability influence their decision making?
Imagine that you live in Las Vegas, Nevada. Would you consider Yucca Mountain a good site for storing nuclear waste? Why or Why not?
Complete Analysis #1 in your notebooks!

10. Analysis #1
To make a decision about long term nuclear waste site, the following information would be helpful:
How likely are large earthquakes and or volcanic eruptions at the Yucca Mountain site?
Can the waste be buried very deep to avoid it being affected by these types of hazards?
What is likely to happen to this area in the future?

11. Graded Assignment
Complete Analysis #2 on the sheet provided. This is an Evidence and Trade-off Question. Refer to your rubric. Make sure to include a trade-off to your decision/opinion in your answer!!