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High-resolution seismic reflection profiles reveal fracture zones within a ‘homogeneous’ granite batholith

Nature volume 294, pages 439–442 (1981)Cite this article

Abstract

Several countries are investigating the use of plutonic rock bodies for the ultimate disposal of radioactive waste material1. Among criteria2,3 that must be met before a rock body is mined for a repository is that it must have a low in situ permeability. As the permeability of most unfractured plutonic rocks is very low3, the problem reduces to finding those bodies which do not contain major connected fractures that would allow radioactive material to be transported by water to the biosphere. We report here that a high-resolution seismic reflection survey across the central region of an Archaean granitic pluton, which on the basis of other data might be defined as relatively homogeneous, identifies major sub-horizontal fracture zones at depth. Such fracture zones, which could be a major hazard for the containment of radioactive wastes, may therefore be detected before selection of a repository site by a combination of high-resolution seismic reflection surveying and suitably located deep drilling.

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Author notes

  1. J. A. Mair

    Present address: Hudson Bay Oil and Gas, 700 2nd Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 2Y7

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Seismology and Geothermal Studies, Earth Physics Branch, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0Y3

    J. A. Mair & A. G. Green

Authors
  1. J. A. Mair
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  2. A. G. Green
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Mair, J., Green, A. High-resolution seismic reflection profiles reveal fracture zones within a ‘homogeneous’ granite batholith. Nature 294, 439–442 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/294439a0

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