FSAR: Section 2.5 Geology, Seismology, and Geotechnical Engineering 2.5 GEOLOGY, SEISMOLOGY, AND GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING {This section presents information on the geological, seismological, and geotechnical engineering properties of the Nine Mile Point 3 Nuclear Power Plant (NMP3NPP) site. Section 2.5.1 describes basic geological and seismologic data, focusing on those data developed since the publication of the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) for licensing Nine Mile Point (NMP) Unit 1 and Unit 2. Section 2.5.2 describes the vibratory ground motion at the site, including an updated seismicity catalog, description of seismic sources, and development of the Safe Shutdown Earthquake and Operating Basis Earthquake ground motions. Section 2.5.3 describes the potential for surface faulting in the site area, and Section 2.5.4 and Section 2.5.5 describe the stability of surface materials at the site. Appendix D of Regulatory Guide 1.165, “Geological, Seismological and Geophysical Investigations to Characterize Seismic Sources,” (NRC, 1997) provides guidance for the recommended level of investigation at different distances from a proposed site for a nuclear facility. The site region is that area within 200 mi (322 km) of the site location The site vicinity is that area within 25 mi (40 km) of the site location The site area is that area within 5 mi (8 km) of the site location The site is that area within 0.6 mi (1 km) of the site location These terms, site region, site vicinity, site area, and site, are used in Section 2.5.1 through Section 2.5.3 to describe these specific areas of investigation. These terms are not applicable to other sections of the FSAR. The geological and seismological information presented in this section was developed from a review of previous reports prepared for the existing units, published geologic literature, interpretation of aerial photography, and a subsurface investigation and field and aerial reconnaissance conducted for preparation of this application. Previous site-specific reports reviewed include the NMP Unit 2 Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (CEG, 1998) and Dames & Moore geologic reports for NMP Unit 2 (Niagara Mohawk, 1978a; Niagara Mohawk 1978b; Niagara Mohawk, 1978c and Niagara Mohawk, 1980). A review of published geologic literature was used to supplement and update the existing geological and seismological information. In addition, relevant unpublished geologic literature, studies, and projects were identified by contacting the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), State geological surveys and universities. The list of references used to compile the geological and seismological information is presented in the applicable section. Extensive geologic and related explorations were conducted, and can be categorized as: 1) general exploration; 2) bedrock investigation and mapping; 3) supplementary geologic exploration; and 4) rock mechanics investigation. Extensive geophysical surveys were performed, including seismic refraction profiling. Field reconnaissance of the site and within a 25 mi (40 km) radius of the site was conducted by geologists. The investigations of regional and site physiographic provinces and geomorphic processes, geologic history, stratigraphy, tectonics and structural geology and geotechnical engineering were conducted by GEI Consultants, Inc. and AREVA NP. Risk Engineering Inc. conducted probabilistic seismic hazard analyses and Weston Geophysical Engineers conducted geophysical surveys and seismicity catalog updates. NMP3NPP 2–1100 Rev. 1 © 2008 UniStar Nuclear Services, LLC. All rights reserved. COPYRIGHT PROTECTED FSAR: Section 2.5 Geology, Seismology, and Geotechnical Engineering The results of the investigations indicate that the site is relatively tectonically stable and the site area and region are generally free of major active tectonic structures. There are no known capable faults within the site vicinity, and there is no potential for surface faulting within the site area. The subsurface materials at the NMP3NPP site are not adversely affected by collapse, subsidence, or uplift and present no adverse foundation conditions for site structures. The ground motion level for the SSE was calculated using conservative correlations sufficiently representative of seismic wave transmission characteristics of the site. This section is intended to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of paragraph c of 10 CFR 100.23, “Geologic and Seismic Siting Criteria” (CFR, 2007).} 2.5.1 BASIC GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC INFORMATION The U.S. EPR FSAR includes the following COL Item in Section 2.5.1: A COL applicant that references the U.S. EPR design certification will use site-specific information to investigate and provide data concerning geological, seismic, geophysical, and geotechnical information. This COL Item is addressed as follows: {This section presents information on the geological and seismological characteristics of the site region (200 mi (322 km) radius), site vicinity (25 mi (40 km) radius), site area (5 mi (8 km) radius) and site (0.6 mi (1 km) radius). Section 2.5.1.1 describes the geologic and tectonic characteristics of the site region. Section 2.5.1.2 describes the geologic and tectonic characteristics of the site vicinity and location. The geological and seismological information was developed in accordance with the following NRC guidance documents: Regulatory Guide 1.70, Section 2.5.1, “Basic Geologic and Seismic Information,” (NRC, 1978) Regulatory Guide 1.206, “Combined License Applications for Nuclear Power Plants (LWR Edition),” (NRC, 2007a) and Regulatory Guide 1.165, “Identification and Characterization of Seismic Sources and Determination of Safe Shutdown Earthquake Ground Motion,” (NRC, 1997). 2.5.1.1 Regional Geology (200 mi (322 km) radius) This section discusses the physiography, geologic history, stratigraphy, and tectonic setting within a 200 mi (322 km) radius of the site (Figure 2.5-1). The regional geologic map as shown in Figure 2.5-2 contains information on the geology, stratigraphy, and tectonic setting of the region surrounding the NMP3NPP site (Schruben, 1994). Summaries of these aspects of regional geology are presented to provide the framework for evaluation of the geologic and seismologic hazards presented in the succeeding sections. Section 2.5.1.1.1 through Section 2.5.1.1.4 are added as a supplement to the U.S. EPR FSAR. 2.5.1.1.1 Regional Physiography and Geomorphology The NMP3NPP site lies within the Physiographic Provinces shown in Figure 2.5-3 (Fenneman, 1946; GSC, 1975). The area within a 200 mile (322 km) radius of the NMP3NPP site encompasses parts of five other physiographic provinces in the United States and three other physiographic provinces in Canada. In the United States these provinces are: The Central Lowland; the NMP3NPP 2–1101 Rev. 1 © 2008 UniStar Nuclear Services, LLC. All rights reserved. COPYRIGHT PROTECTED FSAR: Section 2.5 Geology, Seismology, and Geotechnical Engineering Adirondack Massif, the Appalachian - Allegheny Plateau, the Valley and Ridge (including the Great Valley), and the Northern Appalachians - New England Province (Fenneman, 1946; NYSM, 1990). In Canada the provinces within the 200-mile (322 km) radius of the NMP3NPP site are: The West St. Lawrence Lowland, The Central St. Lawrence Lowland and The Laurentian Highlands (GSC, 1975). Each of these physiographic provinces is briefly described in the following sections. The physiographic provinces in the site region are shown on Figure 2.5-3 and Figure 2.5-4 (Fenneman, 1946; GSC, 1975). 2.5.1.1.1.1 Central Lowland Physiographic Province - Central St. Lawrence Lowland The Central Lowland Physiographic Province includes large portions of the U.S. Mid-west, including the area around the Great Lakes. The NMP3NPP site is located on a northeast extension of the U.S. Central Lowland Physiographic Province, which extends to the north of Lake Ontario, into Canada, where it is known as the West St. Lawrence Lowland. The Central Lowland is bounded by Appalachian Plateau to the south. To the east, the Central Lowland is bounded by the Tug Hill Plateau (a small portion of the Appalachian Plateau), and by the Adirondack Mountains. To the northeast the Central Lowland is bounded by the Frontenac Arch of the Grenville Province, beyond which is located the Central St. Lawrence Lowland in Canada (Figure 2.5-3 and Figure 2.5-4). To the north, the Central Lowland is bounded by the Laurentian Highlands of the Canadian Shield in Ontario and Quebec in Canada. To the south the Central Lowland is bounded by the main potion of the Appalachian Plateau. The portion of the Central Lowland in New York is also known as the Erie-Ontario Plain (USGS, 1982a), the Erie - Ontario Lowlands (Isachsen, 2000) and the Lake Ontario Plain (USGS, 2002a). These refer to a smaller area of the Central Lowland in New York. The most common term in New York geologic literature is the Erie-Ontario Lowland. The Erie-Ontario Lowlands extend southward from the site about 35 miles (56 km) to the Portage Escarpment which forms the boundary between the lowlands and the Allegheny Escarpment portion of the Appalachian-Allegheny Plateau Province, and westward into Canada near Niagara Falls. Differential erosion of southerly dipping, relatively more resistant carbonate rock of the Lockport and Onondaga Formations has resulted in east-west trending cuestas within the lowlands (CEG, 1998). The generally flat to gently undulating topography of the Central Lowland is superimposed upon erosional bedrock surface of irregular, low relief. The land surface rises gradually to the south and southeast from an elevation of 246 feet (75 m) above msl at the southern shore of Lake Ontario to an elevation of approximately 500 feet (152 m) above msl at the base of the Allegheny Escarpment. Four main periods of continental glaciation occurred in the site region during the Pleistocene. Glaciers advanced as far south as northeastern Pennsylvania and central New Jersey. Thus the topography is dominated by glacial landforms (Isachsen, 2000). A veneer of glacial deposits such as tills, glaciofluvial deposits, and proglacial lake sediments covers most of the area.