Nirex Geophysical Survey Archive of UK Nuclear Waste Sites

British Geological Survey archives raw geophysical survey data from Nirex's nuclear waste site investigations. The collection includes seismic, magnetic, gravity, radiometric, and borehole logging data, consolidated from original field recordings. Data ownership was transferred to the UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in 2006.

Use Cases

• Analyze gamma-ray, sonic, and porosity logs from borehole wireline logging to characterize subsurface geology.
• Process marine, land, and transition zone seismic survey data for structural interpretation of potential repository sites.
• Correlate magnetic and gravity survey results with seismic profiles to model regional geophysical properties.
• Use borehole televiewer (BHTV) and formation microscanner (FMS) survey data for detailed fracture and lithology analysis.

Strengths

• Archived by the authoritative British Geological Survey, which maintains a full catalogue.
• Contains multiple geophysical survey types including seismic, magnetic, gravity, radiometric, and borehole logging.
• Data consolidated from original field media onto DLT cartridges for preservation.

Limitations

• Sample data, row counts, and specific file formats are unavailable, hindering initial assessment.
• Includes some analogue data and data on obscure media or in unknown formats retained in original form, which may be inaccessible.
• Raw data requires significant geophysical expertise and processing to derive interpretable results.

Provenance

Source

Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive (NIREX), now under the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Collection Method

Instrumental recordings made during fieldwork for nuclear waste site investigations.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

United Kingdom (sites investigated by Nirex).