Development of a Technically Consistent, Qualified Lithostratigraphic Database for the Yucca Mountain Project Page: 2 of 7
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File: ANS98 QLithPick D12 Printed: 14Jan98
Topic session: 1.13 Computer Graphical Visualization Techniques and Data Base Systems
Strategy for determining technically consistent and Q-status lithostratigraphic contacts
Technically consistent and Q-status lithostratigraphic contact picks can best be attained by using (1) a
small, highly integrated, group of geologists that specialize in the volcanic stratigraphy at Yucca Mountain,
and (2) identification of contacts must be based on Q-status data that occurs in as many boreholes as
possible to provide continuity of types of data. After reviewing all available types of data, it became
evident that borehole geophysical logs provide one of the most commonly available data sets in most
boreholes. Almost all post-1989 borehole geophysical log data have Q status, and based on standard
industry practices and available documentation, it appeared possible to qualify the pre-1989 borehole data.
In 1995, a Borehole Geophysical Data Technical Assessment Committee convened to re-examine the Q-
status of borehole geophysics from the pre-1989 period; that assessment was based on the older logs having
"procedural equivalency" with post-1989 procedures and did not evaluate any technical criteria (L.L. Cuba,
TRW Environmental Safety Systems, Inc., written commun., 1995). Of the initial 1011 non-Q borehole
geophysical logs examined, 766 were reassigned Q status. The stage was set to use the newly reassigned Q-
status geophysical logs to produce Q-status lithostratigraphic contact picks. Even after the reassignment of
Q-status for many pre-1989 geophysical logs, a highly complex configuration of boreholes that have Q and
non-Q status geophysical data, core, and cuttings remained. Combinations of Q and non-Q status
geophysical logs, core, and cuttings are shown in figure 1 where boreholes with all three types of data (logs,
core, and cuttings) will plot in a triangle, boreholes with only two types of data will plot along the side of a
triangle, and boreholes with only one type of data will plot on the apex of the triangle. Forty-five boreholes
provided continuous core (but only 26 of those have geophysical logs), 3 have core from only about 50
percent of the hole and partial geophysical logs, and 28 have cuttings with only spot core and variable
coverage with geophysical logs.
Compilation and display of data
A wide variety of data sources provides lithostratigraphic and geophysical data, although the amount of
data varies greatly from borehole to borehole. Data sources include lithologic descriptions of core and
cuttings, photographs of core, video recordings of core and borehole walls, map relations of
lithostratigraphic units and faults, properties of core or cuttings, geophysical logs, quantitative mineralogy,
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Buesch, D. C. Development of a Technically Consistent, Qualified Lithostratigraphic Database for the Yucca Mountain Project, report, January 14, 1998; Las Vegas, Nevada. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc717548/m1/2/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.