Potential for water-table excursions induced by seismic events at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 1991 Potential for water-table excursions induced by seismic events at Yucca Mountain, Nevada Charles R. Carrigan; Charles R. Carrigan 1Earth Science Department (L-206), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geoffrey C. P. King; Geoffrey C. P. King 2Institut de Physique du Globe, 5, rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar George E. Barr; George E. Barr 3Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Nathan E. Bixler Nathan E. Bixler 3Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Charles R. Carrigan 1Earth Science Department (L-206), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550 Geoffrey C. P. King 2Institut de Physique du Globe, 5, rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France George E. Barr 3Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 Nathan E. Bixler 3Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1991) 19 (12): 1157–1160. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<1157:PFWTEI>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Charles R. Carrigan, Geoffrey C. P. King, George E. Barr, Nathan E. Bixler; Potential for water-table excursions induced by seismic events at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Geology 1991;; 19 (12): 1157–1160. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<1157:PFWTEI>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The possibility that 100-200 m changes in water-table elevation can be mechanically induced by earthquakes is a consideration in site studies of a potential high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. However, numerical simulations of tectonohydrologic coupling involving earthquakes typical of the Basin and Range province produce 2-3 m excursions of a water table that is 500 m below the land surface. Even displacements corresponding to extraordinary seismic events drive water-table excursions of less than 20 m. Flow resulting from earthquake-induced pore-pressure fields below the water table tends to be mainly horizontal; vertical flows that cause changes of the level of the water table are secondary. Strongly anisotropic permeability, intended to enhance vertical flow within fault zones, only doubles water-table rise in the models considered. These simulations of water-table rise compare well with observations following large earthquakes in the Basin and Range. Our models suggest that exceptional hydrologic and/or tectonic conditions would be required to produce substantially larger water-table rises. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.