Document: NUREG-0800
Document ID: f5ba9b07-c36e-4c99-a4af-50271ed55f35
Document Type: srp
Title: SURFACE FAULTING
Source: NUREG-0800
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0523/ML052340599.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 2
Section ID: 2.5.3
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
lines and occasionally is able to provide first-hand knowledge of the site. A literature search is conducted concerning the regional and local geology. The staff also utilizes state geological surveys and contacts univer- sities and private industry to obtain additional data. Generally, the steps that applicants must follow in determining the presence and extent of faulting, and whether near-surface faulting (if present) represents a hazard or not, is outlined in the seismic and geologic siting criteria (Ref. .3). Specific investigative techniques are not given in the criteria, however. The site area must be investigated by a combination of exploratory methods which may include borings, trenching, seismic profiling, geologic mapping, and geo- physical investigations. The results of these explorations are cross-compared and evaluated by the staff. It has been the policy of the staff to encourage applicants to avoid areas where there is a possibility for surface faulting. As the question of whether or not a surface faulting condition exists is so critical in determining whether a particular site is suitable, this consideration is usually addressed very early in the review. Exceptions are those cases in which a fault, the existence of which was previously unknown, is revealed in excavations during construction or is discovered during the course of other investigations in the area. The staff is to be notified by the applicant when the excavations for critical structures are available for NRC inspection and when the detailed geologic maps to be used by the staff while examining the above excavations will be available for use. In addition, the staff is to be contacted immediately if a fault, not previously identified in the SAR, is found within 5 miles of the plant. When faults are identified in the site vicinity, it must be demonstrated that the faults are not capable. This is accomplished by determining the ages of the faults by absolute age dating (radiometric),