USGS Open-File Report 2014–1023: Petrophysical Properties, Mineralogy, Fractures, and Flow Tests in 25 Deep Boreholes at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Petrophysical Properties, Mineralogy, Fractures, and Flow Tests in 25 Deep Boreholes at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

By Philip H. Nelson and Joyce E. Kibler

Abstract

As part of a site investigation for the disposal of radioactive waste, numerous boreholes were drilled into a sequence of Miocene pyroclastic flows and related deposits at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. This report contains displays of data from 25 boreholes drilled during 1979–1984, relatively early in the site investigation program. Geophysical logs and hydrological tests were conducted in the boreholes; core and cuttings analyses yielded data on mineralogy, fractures, and physical properties; and geologic descriptions provided lithology boundaries and the degree of welding of the rock units. Porosity and water content were computed from the geophysical logs, and porosity results were combined with mineralogy from x-ray diffraction to provide whole-rock volume fractions. These data were composited on plates and used by project personnel during the 1990s. Improvements in scanning and computer technology now make it possible to publish these displays.

First posted March 25, 2014

Report PDF (3.0 MB)

Downloads Directory
Contains: Plates 1–27

For additional information, contact:
Director, Central Energy Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25046, MS-939
Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225–0046
http://energy.usgs.gov/

Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF). For best results viewing and printing PDF documents, it is recommended that you download the documents to your computer and open them with Adobe Reader. PDF documents opened from your browser may not display or print as intended. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.

Suggested citation:

Nelson, P.H., and Kibler, J.E., 2014, Petrophysical properties, mineralogy, fractures, and flow tests in 25 deep boreholes at Yucca Mountain, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014–1023, 19 p., 27 pls., https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141023.

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)

Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Computation of Porosity and Water Content

Explanation of the Plates

Outstanding Features

Summary

Acknowledgments

References Cited