Underground Research Laboratory: Overcoming Uncertainties in the Assessment of Seismic Conditions for the Yeniseiskiy Site

Abstract

The article presents the basic principles and an algorithm allowing to arrange a seismological monitoring system for the Yeniseiskiy site selected for deep geological disposal of high-level waste. It describes the seismological monitoring system developed by NO RAO in 2018 also briefly considering the seismotectonic conditions of the area. The paper describes the process that has been followed to select the corresponding sites and equipment layouts in the areas fitted with seismological monitoring stations with relevant instrumental characteristics being provided. It shows that considering the current stage of research, higher sensitivity was provided in the area as compared to the one associated with available regional seismological observations. It demonstrates the efficiency of the built-up monitoring system with its sensitivity assessment provided both based on the calculated model and under real conditions. The long-term safety assessment performed for such a facility relies upon many factors with the seismic hazard level within the area of the monitored facility also taken into consideration. To provide most reliable evaluation of seismic parameters, continuous seismological monitoring should be performed over a several years’ period along with the sensitivity assessment of the selected monitoring system. The seismological monitoring system should focus not only on the general study of the monitored territory, but also on the areas assumed as zones of most probable seismic event occurrence, i.e. areas involving tectonic faults. The relevance of this task has been repeatedly emphasized in the course of multiple discussions on this issue featuring the representatives from SC Rosatom and the Scientific and Engineering Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Safety. The monitoring system fitted within the repository area meets relevant regulatory requirements. In accordance with the existing requirements, to reduce the uncertainties in the seismic hazard assessment of the territory, the implementation of certain measures was recommended during further development of the local seismological monitoring network to identify and assess the potential of hazardous geodynamic zones.

Dynamic Activity Index for Feature Engineering of Geodynamic Data for Safe Underground Isolation of High-Level Radioactive Waste

“…): geological environment, bentonite, borosilicate glass, and container body. Currently, the geodynamic and seismic regime is being studied in this area [18][19][20].…”

“…The geological and tectonic features of the DGR location area are described in [20][21][22][23][24]. The time of the radiobiological hazard of HLRW exceeds ten thousand years, so the main focus is to assess and predict the geodynamic stability of a structural tectonic block containing HLRW.…”