Estimating the Geological Structure and Transport Properties of Denied and Limited Access Sites

Onsite measurements are the standard for establishing geological conditions and related transport properties. However, making direct is not always possible, either because a location too remote, vast, or access outright denied. The latter typically case at nuclear test sites, military installations. Here we describe systematic method to characterize geology estimate fracture width, spacing, tortuosity, permeability, porosity locations where cannot be made. Fractures treated as fractals with their respective fractal dimensions determined using surface images. Tortuosity in matrix (i.e., bulk media) rock class also being used determine distributions permeability porosity. approach tested areal images Nevada Test Site validated by comparison field core measurements. Past work has shown that testing weapon underground can affect only migration time gases but isotopic ratios. Accurately modeling gas fractionation requires knowledge of geology. suspected tests conducted sites which international community no access.