Modeling the influence of sinking anhydrite blocks on salt diapirs targeted for hazardous waste disposal

摘要: Due to the low permeability and high ductility of rock salt, many salt diapirs, such as those in Germany Netherlands, are targeted long-term repositories for disposal high-level radioactive chemical wastes. Geophysical subsurface data show that Gorleben diapir, which is one most extensively investigated diapirs world, other Zechstein Formation contain large blocks (∼80 m thick) high-density anhydrite inclusions. These blocks, were carried upward by rising considered be detached segments intercalated layers initially deposited with salt. Results physical numerical models, presented here, detached, entrained diapir at an earlier stage, tend sink late stages diapiric evolution when rate rise slows down. During their descent, these high- density competent deform folding create shear zones immediate contact less The descending initiate a secondary internal flow within they descend, may any repository built would otherwise tectonically inactive.