Geology at the Nevada Test Site; Official Use Only

This CD is not meant to be a rigorous discussion of geologic methods, a lengthy discussion of the role of geology in the containment of nuclear explosions, or an in-depth treatise on the geology of the NTS. However, through the use of the information presented, in conjunction with the materials cited, a geologist should find sufficient information to enable interaction with the other disciplines involved to support the successful execution of an underground nuclear test. GEOLOGY: THE PRACTICE PHYSICAL GEOLOGY OF THE TEST AREAS The ultimate goal of any nuclear test is to obtain desired data safely, with no release of radiation to the atmosphere. This section describes what geologists do to help assure that these goals are met. Geologists provide essential input to the safe conduct of underground nuclear explosions, in support of site selection, test-bed construction, and in furthering the understanding of the role of geology in successful containment. GEOLOGY AND CONTAINMENT This section presents a summary of the history of nuclear testing (with emphasis on events that led to the advent of underground testing), a description of the phenomenology of an underground nuclear explosion, and a discussion of containment evaluation. These subjects are presented to describe how the testing community came to realize that it was necessary to understand the geologic setting of each underground test location, and are not meant to be a primer on containment. This Compact Disc (CD) has been designed to familiarize the user with the arts and sciences of Geology as performed at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), and to provide an overview of the physical geology found at the historic nuclear testing areas. This was prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Nevada Site Office. It is understood that the contents no longer meet the criteria for Official Use Only. As part of its efforts to demonstrate transparency about its work, in late November 2023 the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) welcomed 13 non-governmental experts on arms control and nonproliferation to its Nevada facilities, including parts of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) outside Las Vegas. NNSS hosts a variety of nonproliferation projects, in large part focused on the ability to detect low-yield nuclear explosions around the world. The visitors saw P Tunnel, the site of an October 2023 nonproliferation experiment using chemical, non-nuclear explosives and radiotracers, as well as other sites supporting nonproliferation efforts. The group visited the Principal Underground Laboratory for Subcritical Experimentation (PULSE, formerly called the U1a Complex). PULSE is where U.S. subcritical experiments are conducted. The visitors also saw locations involved with the Stockpile Stewardship Program, which the United States started in 1992 when it ended nuclear explosive testing. Due to the program's success in Nevada and at NNSA's national laboratories, the United States has no identified technical need to conduct additional nuclear explosive tests, and no plans to do so. Instead of nuclear explosive testing, the program relies on specialized facilities, supercomputers, subcritical experiments, and technical experts to ensure the safety, security, reliability, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. During an NNSA-led visit of non-governmental experts on arms control and nonproliferation to the Nevada National Security Site, they stopped by the Big Explosives Experimental Facility. The NGO group also visited the Icecap site at NNSS. Icecap was constructed for a nuclear explosive test set for 1993, but never carried out after the U.S. testing moratorium. The United States hasn't tested since 1992 and has no plans to do so. Before visiting the site, NNSA hosted discussions related to NNSA operations, specifically Stockpile Stewardship and nonproliferation projects, along with U.S. support for the.…