Geologic and Geophysical Characterization Studies of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, A Potential High-Level Radioactive-Waste Repository

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).