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Geologic Studies, Project Gnome, Eddy County, New Mexico
From abstract: For Project Gnome, part of the Plowshare Program to develop peaceful uses for nuclear energy, a nuclear device was detonated December 10, 1961, underground in rack salt of the Permian Salado Formation southeast of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The Geological Survey's investigations on behalf of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission provided basic geologic and geophysical information needed to define preshot and postshot geologic and hydrologic conditions at and near the site. This report describes the geology of the site, some physical and chemical properties of the rocks, and the known effects of the nuclear detonation on the rocks of the site.
Hydrologic and Geologic Studies for Project Gnome: Progress Report
From introduction: The broad objectives of the Survey's program are to provide the basic geologic and geophysical information needed to define the pre- and post-shot geologic and physical properties of salt and other rocks affected by the explosion. To provide geologic and hydrologic information on the pre- and post-shot hydrologic conditions at the Gnome site and surrounding region.
Pre-shot and Postshot Structure Survey: Final Report
From introduction: The purpose of this survey was to document the pre-event and post-event condition of all existing surface facilities within a 10-mile radius of ground zero for Project GNOME.
Seismic Waves from an Underground Explosion in a Salt Bed: Preliminary Report
From abstract: Seismic waves resulting from a 5 kiloton nuclear detonation 1200 feet deep in a salt bed near Carlsbad, New Mexico were measured by strong-motion seismographs operated by the Coast and Geodetic Survey on the surface in the distance range from 0.5 to 8.8 miles and underground in a potash mine 8.7 to 11.2 miles distant.
Ground-Water Investigations of the Project GNOME Area, Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico
From abstract: The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, through the Office of Test Operations, Albuquerque Operations Office, plans to detonate a nuclear device in a massive salt bed 1,200 feet beneath the land surface. The project, known as Project Gnome, is an element of the Plowshare program--a study of peacetime applications of nuclear fission. The location of the proposed underground shot is in a sparsely-populated area in southeastern Eddy County, N. Mex., east of the Pecos River and about 25 miles southeast of the city of Carlsbad.
Description of Core from Atomic Energy Commission Drill Hole Number 1, Project Gnome, Eddy County, New Mexico
From abstract: Drilling at the Project GNOME site, which is in the approximate center of sec. 34, T. 23 S., R. 30 E., NMPM, was undertaken in August and September 1958 by the W-W Drilling Company. The purpose of drilling this hole, which is at the precise location of the proposed shaft, was to determine (1) the lithologic and water-bearing characteristics of the rocks of Cenozoic, Mesozoic, and Paleozoic age that lie above the salt-bearing sequence in the Salado formation; (2) the depth to the top of the unleached salt and associated evaporites in the Salado formation; and (3) the local details of the salt-bearing sequence in the Salado formation.
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