Average properties of nuclear test areas and media at the USERDA Nevada Test Site

Data have gradually been accumulated on the physical properties of nuclear test sites at the U. S. Energy Research and Development Administration (USERDA) Nevada Test Site (NTS) since underground testing began there in 1957. These data have been stored in the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL) K-Division Test Effects Data Bank. This report briefly describes the principal test areas Yucca Flat, Pahute Mesa, and Rainier Mesa) and media (alluvium, tuff, Climax Stock (granite) and Paleozoic rocks) at NTS. Background information is given on the data base and the various methods used to measure geophysical parameters at NTS are described. The mean, standard deviation, and range of values for each test area and medium are given. However, specific properties for individual sites are not contained in this report. Properties for which averages are given include overburden and working-point density; seismic velocity both near the working point and from the working point to the surface; and water content, porosity, and water saturation of the rocks in the working point vicinity