The distribution of vertical groundwater flow in the saturated zone of the Yucca Mountain area: A cross-sectional finite element model

This study uses cross-sectional modeling to explore the saturated groundwater flow at Yucca Mountain in a multi-layer system. Cross-sectional modeling allows the simulation of vertical leakage not included in areal models. The cross section was constructed along an estimated streamline and is 84.3 kilometers long. The conceptual model includes an upper volcanic and lower carbonate aquifer separated by an aquitard with an alluvial aquifer down-gradient. Results indicate that some groundwater flows beneath the high-gradient (low conductivity) zone through the carbonate aquifer. The volcanic aquifer, south of the high gradient zone, must be supplied with additional groundwater as the low conductivity zone cannot transmit enough water to maintain the heads observed there. Upward leakage from the carbonate aquifer and recharge at Fortymile Wash provide the needed supply. Recharge alone is insufficient to maintain the observed heads, and upward leakage from the carbonates is also required.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geoscience

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

1989

Author dc:creator

• Haws, Sandra Jean

Contributors dc:contributor

• Thomas H. Brikowski

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/rtds/75

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:rtds-1074