1. Yucca Mountain Yucca mountain was a proposed site for the disposal of high level nuclear waste. It is in South Nevada, adjacent to the Nevada Test Site. The site was initially deemed suitable due to its location, geology and hydrogology

2. Why Yucca Mountain? The water table in the area is very low. The waste will be buried about 300m below ground and the water table will be still some 300m below this. Tuff has chemical and physical properties which make it a favourable rock for disposing of the high level waste.

3. Geology Layered volcanic deposits – Tuffs. Welded, non-welded and semi-welded. Many fractures exist in the individual layers of tuff. Various fault lines running through the area. Very detailed geological mapping available. Extensive testing on the host rock has been undertaken.

5. Seismic Activity DOE investigated: the potential frequency and magnitude of future earthquakes their potential effect on the geology their effects on man made structures Most of the movement which formed the mountains occurred>1000000years ago.

6. The Repository Design The main components of the design are: -A main U shaped tunnel with many branching emplacements or drifts for storing the waste. -A railway to transport the waste packages. -Perforated steed tunnel linings and drip shields prevent seepage water coming in to contact with the waste packages.

7. Schematic of the Repository

8. Yucca Mountain Latest News…. Obama administration withdrew funding for the project this year in favour of “an alternative solution to the nuclear waste problem” $13.5bn has been spent investigating the site