Stress measurements at Hanford, Washington for the design of a nuclear waste repository facility

This paper summarizes the first complete hydrofracturing stress measurements at the Hanford Site in one of the basalt flows considered for the construction of a nuclear waste repository. The results indicate a strongly anisotropic stress field suggestive of thrust faulting along east-west striking planes. These findings are supported by local geology and seismicity and by evidence of core discing and borehole spalling. The measured in situ stresses were instrumental in the rational design of the future rock caverns with respect to site suitability, cavern orientation and shape, and support requirements