readme.txt U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series 58 Geologic and Geophysical Characterization Studies of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, A Potential High-Level Radioactive-Waste Repository By John W. Whitney and W.R. Keefer, Scientific Editors 2000 Prepared in cooperation with the NEVADA OPERATIONS OFFICE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, under Interagency Agreement DE-AI0897NV12033 U.S. Department of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Charles G. Groat, Director Available from: USGS Information Services Box 25286, Building 810 Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 For more information about topics covered in this report, contact: Chief, Earth Science Investigations Program Yucca Mountain Project Branch U.S. Geological Survey Box 25046, Mail Stop 421 Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225-0046 I. INTRODUCTION The safe disposal of high-level radioactive wastes is one of the most pressing environmental issues of modern times. At present, most of these materials are being stored under temporary conditions at many of the individual nuclear power plants where they were produced. In recognition of the need for permanent waste storage, Yucca Mountain in southwestern Nevada has been investigated by Federal agencies since the 1970's as one of the Nation's potential geologic disposal sites. In 1987, Congress selected Yucca Mountain for an expanded and more detailed site characterization effort, and a broad multidisciplinary program of studies was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy to further evaluate the suitability of the mountain as a safe and permanent underground disposal facility. The scope and objectives of the many kinds of investigations to be pursued were guided in large measure by regulations governing the siting of geologic repositories for high-level radioactive wastes that were issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Code of Federal Regulations 10CFR60) and supplmented by further requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Energy (Code of Federal Regulations 10CFR960). As an integral part of the planned site-characterization program, the U.S. Geological Survey began a series of detailed geologic, geophysical, and related investigations designed to characterize the tectonic setting, fault behavior, and seismicity of the Yucca Mountain area. A broad goal was to provide essential data for assessing the possible risks posed by future seismic and fault activity in the area that may affect the design and long-term performance, and the safe operation, of the potential surface and subsurface repository facilities. The results of 13 of the many studies undertaken to increase understanding of the tectonic environment of Yucca Mountain and the adjacent area are presented in this report. Please see the Introduction, chapter A of this report, for more information on how the reports were produced, the contextual groupings of the chapters, and their content. II. DISCLAIMERS This Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) publication was prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, produce, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. 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(www.apple.com) describe the software in detail; however, the following information may suffice to get you going on this report. Launch Acrobat Reader, and open the DDS58 folder on the CD-ROM. Note: Front.pdf contains pages for the front cover, inside front cover, volume title page, backs title page, volume contents page (list of chapters), and a page of conversion factors and abbreviations. The chapter titles on the volume contents page are linked to the individual chapters. Abbrev.pdf is the page of conversion factors and abbreviations by itself. Each chapter's PDF contains a link to this PDF for the reader's use. Follow the link to the conversion factors and abbreviations; then click the black "back" arrow to return to the chapter being read. The included PDF's are as follows: Abbrev.pdf Front.pdf Ch_A.pdf Ch_B.pdf Ch_C.pdf Ch_D.pdf Ch_E.pdf Ch_F.pdf Ch_G.pdf Ch_H.pdf Ch_I.pdf Ch_J.pdf Ch_K.pdf Ch_L.pdf Ch_M.pdf Ch_N.pdf