Experience of Space Geodesy Observations at Nuclear Facilities

The paper reviews observations of modern crustal movements (MCMs) using global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) at nuclear facilities (NF). In 1995–2002, observations were conducted at geodynamic test sites of the Novovoronezh, Kalinin, and Rostov NPPs. Following the results of GNSS observations, a conclusion was drawn about the stability of the Kalinin NPP test site: it was recommended that design solutions take into account deformation of the Earth’s surface in the north–south direction. The creation of a geodynamic test site for observing the activity of the Rostov NPP area based on GPS technology promoted the passage of a state environmental impact assessment during the launch of the first NPP reactor in 2001. In the construction area of Russia’s first deep-level radioactive waste disposal site (Krasnoyarsk krai), a geodynamic test site was created to observe MCMs, and a methodology was developed for processing and interpreting geodynamic observation data taking into account the large-scale spatiotemporal effect. For the first time, for the area at the junction of the largest tectonic structures—the Siberian Platform and the West Siberian Plate—the rates of horizontal crustal deformations were instrumentally measured and the cyclical nature of the geodynamic regime was established. Observations made in 2010–2016 showed that in 2010–2013, maximum changes in distances between observation points did not exceed 10 mm/year. In 2013–2014, the tectonic regime was activated, manifested by a change in the signs of compressional and extensional strain of the upper crust on the right and left banks of the Yenisei River. The annual rates of maximum change in the lengths of baselines during the activation period reached ±18 mm. The standard horizontal and vertical errors for 2012–2016 were 3.0–3.5 and 6.0–7.4 mm, respectively. To take into account the scale factor, methodological approaches to interpreting the observational data were developed, which made it possible to assess the extent of impact of MCMs on the stability of the natural insulating properties of rock massifs while substantiating the geoecological safety of radioactive waste disposal. Based on the observation results, the boundary conditions for modeling the stress–strain state of a rock massif were established and the site of the GKhK Mining and Chemical Combine was geodynamically zoned.