Physical and hydrologic properties of outcrop samples from a nonwelded to welded tuff transition, Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Water-Resources Investigations Report
95-4061
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Abstract
Quantitative material-property data are needed to describe lateral and vertical spatial variability of physical and hydrologic properties and to model ground-water flow and radionuclide transport at the potential Yucca Mountain nuclear-waste repository site in Nevada. As part of ongoing site characterization studies of Yucca Mountain directed toward this understanding of spatial variability, laboratory measurements of porosity, bull* and particle density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and sorptivity have been obtained for a set of outcrop samples that form a systematic,two dimensional grid that covers a large exposure of the basal Tiva Canyon Tuff of the Paintbrush Group of Miocene age at Yucca Mountain. The samples form a detailed vertical grid roughly parallel to the transport direction of the parent ash flows, and they exhibit material-property varia- tions in an interval of major lithologic change overlying a potential nuclear-waste repository at Yucca Mountain. The observed changes in hydrologic properties were systematic and consistent with the changes expected for the nonwelded to welded transition at the base of a major ash-flow sequence. Porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and sorptivity decreased upward from the base of the Tiva Canyon Tuff, indicating the progressive compaction of ash- rich volcanic debris and the onset of welding with increased overburden pressure from the accumulating ash-flow sheet. The rate of decrease in the values of these material properties varied with vertical position within the transition interval. In contrast, bulk-density values increased upward, a change that also is consistent with progressive compaction and the onset of welding. Particle-density values remained almost constant throughout the transition interval, probably indicating compositional (chemical) homogeneity.
Suggested Citation
Rautman, C., Flint, L.E., Flint, A.L., Istok, J., 1995, Physical and hydrologic properties of outcrop samples from a nonwelded to welded tuff transition, Yucca Mountain, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 95-4061, iv, 29 p. :ill., map ;28 cm. [PGS - 28 p.], https://doi.org/10.3133/wri954061.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Physical and hydrologic properties of outcrop samples from a nonwelded to welded tuff transition, Yucca Mountain, Nevada |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 95-4061 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri954061 |
| Year Published | 1995 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey : Earth Science Information Center, Open-File Reports Section [distributor], |
| Description | iv, 29 p. :ill., map ;28 cm. [PGS - 28 p.] |