National Geological Screening for a GDF
Getting to know the geology in your area
Introduction
This web journey presents the findings of a National Geological Screening (NGS) exercise carried out by Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) to summarise the geology of England, Wales and Northern Ireland that is relevant to the safe disposal of higher-activity radioactive waste.
For screening purposes, England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been divided into the 13 geological regions used by the British Geological Survey in its Regional Guides. Our work provides an assessment of the geology in each region which is relevant to the safety of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF), although more detailed knowledge will be needed to identify suitable locations. Click on one of the regional links below for more information.
In geological disposal, man-made or engineered barriers work together with the geology to provide long-term safety. Placing radioactive waste deep underground puts it far beyond people’s reach, so that it is safe and secure. The rock will shield people from the radiation and, depending on the rock type, will either limit or completely prevent radioactivity from moving towards the surface when other barriers eventually degrade. Disposal deep underground will also ensure that the waste can never be exposed at the surface even in the event of a change in sea level or future ice ages. Find out more about how rocks contribute to long-term safety
To cover the large national area (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), the resolution of the screening has been kept at a high level – using base maps on which a centimetre represents about six kilometres (1:625,000 scale).
Background
Further information on the following aspects of screening can be found here:
- Approach to higher activity radioactive waste across the UK
- Screening guidance, geological attributes and information
- Screening outputs
- Independent review
- Screening in the context of wider siting and next steps
The 13 Regions
The thirteen geological regions
Find out about the region of interest to you:
- Northern Ireland
- Northern England
- Pennines and adjacent areas
- Eastern England
- Wales
- Welsh Borderland
- Central England
- East Anglia
- Bristol and Gloucester
- London and the Thames Valley
- South West England
- Hampshire Basin
- Wealden District
There are no plans to site a GDF in Northern Ireland. This screening report is purely a technical exercise. Any future policy decision on geological disposal in Northern Ireland would be a matter for the Executive.
Contact
If you have any further questions please email gdfenquiries@nda.gov.uk
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Nuclear Waste Services is a joint trading name of LLW Repository Limited (Company Registration No. 05608448) and Radioactive Waste Management Limited (Company Registration No. 08920190). Both of these companies are registered in England and Wales with their registered office located at Pelham House, Pelham Drive, Calderbridge, Cumbria CA20 1DB.