Geophysical investigations of the Asse salt structure
Country / Region: Germany
Begin of project: May 1, 2014
End of project: December 31, 2025
Status of project: November 28, 2023
Ground-penetrating radar survey at the roof of a salt extraction chamber. Results of the survey are depicted in the box as a radargram
Source: BGR
Project description
Measures involved in decommissioning the Asse II mine include the construction of a retrieval mine as well as the sinking of a new shaft to retrieve the radioactive waste. In addition to the geological exploration work, geophysical surveys are also carried out on the surface and underground to collect information on the detailed structure of the evaporite body, its overburden and those parts of the rock mass affected by the retrieval of the radioactive waste. On behalf of the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH, BGE), BGR has been conducting geophysical exploration work since 2014 and is responsible for quality assurance and evaluation of geophysical data. Geophysical exploration results are used by BGR as a basis for the integrative geoscientific evaluation of the salt structure (cf. Geological processing work package), and for the development of the geological 3D model (cf. 3D model work package).
3D-visualisation of tomographically determined seismic velocities along 2D survey lines
Source: BGR
Project objectives
Exploration of the salt structure is focused on the Zechstein and Röt evaporite sequences, and the cap rock. The work primarily involves the complementary geophysical exploration of the geological conditions underground and directed extrapolation of the information into areas currently unaffected by mining. This involves geophysical surveys (e.g., ground-penetrating radar surveys) in the vicinity of existing underground operations, new drifts, and exploration drillings. In addition, basic information on the structural/geological composition of the overburden and the external shape of the salt structure is collected by processing and interpretation of 2D and 3D seismic datasets.