Fluid flow through faults and fractures in argillaceous formations. Synthesis of the workshop

Groundwater, gas and solute will always tend to follow the paths of least resistance in their passage through low permeability formations. An evaluation of the occurrence of fluid flow through faults and fractures is thus of primary importance for the performance assessment of radioactive waste repositories located in argillaceous settings. To provide national waste management organisations and the scientific community at large with insights into the driving processes and the occurrence of fluid flow through faults and fractures in argillaceous formations a workshop was set up on this subject. Workshop objectives and scope are presented, and key factors controlling fluid flow through faults and fractures are discussed. (R.P.)