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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

GCAGS Transactions

Abstract


Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions
Vol. 39 (1989), Pages 543-551

Review of Geology of Mississippi Previous HitSaltNext Hit Domes Involved in Nuclear Research

Charles T. Swann (1)

ABSTRACT

Mississippi Previous HitsaltNext Hit domes have been a part of nuclear research activities since 1960. Bruinsburg Previous HitDomeNext Hit, Claiborne County, was initially considered suitable as a site for underground nuclear tests in the Ripple Program. The Bruinsburg Previous HitDomeNext Hit is a shallow piercement Previous HitdomeNext Hit with caprock 1629 feet below the surface. Further evaluations resulted in Tatum Previous HitDomeNext Hit, Lamar County, being chosen as the test site. Approximately 2700 feet below the surface two nuclear devices were detonated, one in 1964 and one in 1966. These detonations are referred to as the Salmon and Sterling events and were part of the Vela Uniform Program sponsored by the U. S. Department of Defense and the former U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. Tatum Previous HitDomeNext Hit is a shallow piercement Previous HitdomeNext Hit with caprock 998 feet below the surface.

More recent investigations (1976-1987) were initiated to choose a site for the nation's first high-level nuclear waste repository. These investigations, sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy, identified the Lampton (Marion County), Richton (Perry County), and Cypress Creek or Agnes (Perry County) domes as preferred sites. Lampton Previous HitDomeNext Hit, a shallow piercement Previous HitdomeNext Hit with caprock at 1305 feet below the surface, was later rejected from the repository siting process. The Cypress Creek Previous HitDomeNext Hit is a shallow piercement Previous HitdomeNext Hit with caprock at a depth of approximately 1172 feet. The Richton and Cypress Creek domes were considered potentially acceptable sites, although all present repository siting activities are focused on the Yucca Mountain site, Nye County, Nevada.

Nuclear research regarding Mississippi Previous HitsaltNext Hit Previous HitdomeNext Hit has yielded abundant geologic data and short-term economic benefits. However, timing of research and private utilization plans at Bruinsburg and Richton domes suggest that the research activities have had a detrimental effect on utilization of Mississippi Previous HitsaltNext Hit resources. This potential conflict of Previous HitsaltNext Hit Previous HitdomeNext Hit uses may have influenced private industry to seek other sources of Previous HitsaltNext Hit supply. Tatum Previous HitDomeNext Hit, contaminated by highly radioactive isotopes, can never be utilized for any purpose. These factors may contribute to the fact that none of Mississippi's 60 known Previous HitsaltTop domes are being commercially mined and only two are used for hydrocarbon storage.


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