Final storage – it’s all rock and rules

High-level radioactive waste (HLW) will remain dangerous for time spans beyond human comprehension. Depending on the half-life and quantity, it can take hundreds or even millions of years for a radioactive element to decay to the point where its radiation load no longer poses an unacceptable threat to human health and the environment. No building, facility, technology or social institution created by human communities can realistically guarantee the safe storage of radioactive waste for such long time spans.

That being the case, there is no alternative to permanent disposal in deep geological formations. This requires dense rock and geological conditions which will remain stable over very long periods of time. Suitable types of host rock include rock salt, clay stone and crystalline rock such as granite. These formations exist in Germany. Their geological history has remained largely unchanged for a very long period of time, and they are highly unlikely to be affected by any anticipated future developments, partly because they are sufficiently thick and solid and are located at adequate depth.