Project Operations
Natural System

The study of the natural system at Yucca Mountain is the study of rock (geology), water (hydrology), and climate (climatology). The scientists of Natural System study the Yucca Mountain site to predict what will happen if a repository stores highly radioactive materials there. This information helps determine how effectively the rocks of Yucca Mountain would limit the movement of radioactive materials. Researchers study both natural processes, primarily water flow that could move radioactive materials from the site, and site features that could limit or delay this movement. Radioactive materials can be dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years. Therefore, the staff must define the range of conditions that could occur in the future. This time period is very long in human terms, but relatively short for the geologic processes being studied.

To predict what will happen, researchers collect data of past and present conditions at Yucca Mountain. With this data, they will establish the range of conditions expected in the future, including possible long-term climate changes. Scientists test the soil, water, and rock, and record weather patterns, rainfall, and temperatures. Movement of water through the rocks of the repository is one of the Project's biggest safety concerns. Water can corrode the waste packages and transport the radioactive materials to where they could come in contact with humans. To address this possibility, the scientists study the movement of water, vapor, and gases through the rock.

Heat can affect the natural surroundings. The radioactive materials will give off heat, raising the temperature in the repository to 200 to 300 degrees Celsius (392 to 592 Fahrenheit). The staff must predict how these higher temperatures will affect the conditions inside the repository. For example, electric heaters simulate repository conditions by heating a room mined inside Yucca Mountain. Instruments will record the results as the rock heats up and then cools down. This study will last 4 to 8 years.

The Natural System group examines possible natural events that could disrupt the repository. For example, they estimate the chance of a volcano affecting a repository in the Yucca Mountain area as being about 1 chance in 70 million per year. They also study the size and likelihood of future earthquakes.

The knowledge gained from these studies helps decide the site's suitability for disposing of highly radioactive materials. The Natural System, when combined with the man-made system, is expected to protect people and the environment from highly radioactive materials.

 

Additional Information:
Why Yucca Mountain?	History of nuclear waste program
Who's watching us?	Project Fact Sheets
Project Operations	Transportation
Project Databases	Employment Opportunities

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