Interpreted resistivity and IP section line W1 Wahmonie area, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

Abstract

The US Geological Survey, working under a memorandum of understanding EW-78-A-08-1543, with the Department of Energy, is engaged in a broad program to assess and identify potential repositories for high level nuclear waste on the Nevada Test Site (NTS). The USGS program consists of integrated geologic, hydrologic and geophysical studies of regional to site specific nature. This report discusses work done at the proposed Wahmonie site at which active work has been suspended in part due to structural complexity, faulting and potential mineralization. This work provides the principal geophysical basis on which an assessment of potential mineralization was made. The Wahmonie site was originally selected for study as a potential nuclear waste repository because of an inferred intrusive body at shallow depth in the area. Studies were initiated to determine the nature and extent of the intrusive mass in order to assess its potential as a repository. This report covers the two dimensional modeling and interpretation of a dipole-dipole induced polarization (IP) line run across the center of the inferred mass. The modeling was done by the University of Utah Research Institute (UURI) under purchase order 84868 of the US Geological Survey. A brief discussion of the geology is givenmore » in the introduction because the results show significant potential for mineralization in the intrusive.« less