PNNL

Abstract

The site-wide probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) of the Hanford Site (hereafter Hanford PSHA) in southeastern Washington State was undertaken by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and its contractors for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of River Protection (ORP), DOE Richland Operations Office (RL), and Energy Northwest to provide a detailed characterization of the vibratory ground motion hazard at the Hanford Site from potential future earthquakes. The study was conducted to fulfill the requirements for DOE facilities as well as those for commercial nuclear power plants, through a collaboration and joint sponsorship between DOE and Energy Northwest. The study fulfills the requirement to develop an update to the PSHA as required by DOE Order. In addition, the study fulfills the requirement from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that Energy Northwest conduct a PSHA using Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee (SSHAC) Level 3 procedures for the Columbia Generating Station. Because the Hanford Site includes several facility sites, the PSHA has been conducted such that seismic hazard is calculated at five sites that are located across the Hanford Site.