Concept and procedure of geoscientific study in the Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory Project; Study plan on Construction phase (Phase II) and Operation phase (Phase III) to 500m depth

Saegusa, Hiromitsu; Matsui, Hiroya ; Hama, Katsuhiro ; Sato, Toshinori  ; Tsuruta, Tadahiko  ; Takeuchi, Ryuji  ; Kunimaru, Takanori; Matsuoka, Toshiyuki; Mizuno, Takashi   

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is being performed Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory (MIU) Project, which is a broad scientific study of the deep geological environment as a basis of research and development for geological disposal of nuclear wastes, in order to establish comprehensive techniques for the investigation, analysis and assessment of the deep geological environment in fractured crystalline rock. The MIU Project has three overlapping phases: Surface-based Investigation phase (Phase I), Construction phase (Phase II), and Operation phase (Phase III), with a total duration of about 20 years. The project goals of the MIU Project from Phase I through to Phase III are: (1) to establish techniques for investigation, analysis and assessment of the deep geological environment, and (2) to develop a range of engineering for deep underground application. This document presents the concept and procedure of geoscientific study on Phase II and III to 500m depth.