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In Finland, a groundbreaking project called Onkalo is set to redefine the concept of isolation. This underground complex, located near the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant, is designed to safely store nuclear waste for an impressive 100.000 years. Once sealed in 2025, no humans will be able to access the site, marking a milestone in sustainable nuclear energy management.
Onkalo, which translates to “cave” in Finnish, is more than just a curious name. It represents a bold and necessary response to one of humanity’s greatest challenges: the safe storage of nuclear waste. Developed by Posiva, a Finnish waste management organization, the site is an intricate network of tunnels and chambers dug 450 meters underground, designed to resist geological changes and the passing of time.
BBC journalist Erika Benke was one of the few people to visit the tunnel before it closed for good. “It takes 15 minutes by car to descend the 437 meters to the Onkalo service station,” Benke said, describing the 4,5-kilometer tunnel with its solid rock walls and minimal lighting. At points, the floor becomes wet and muddy, a reminder that the environment here is inhospitable even to humans.
In the heart of Onkalo
The spent nuclear fuel will be sealed in airtight containers and deposited in vertical holes. The operation involves robots designed to ensure precision and safety, away from human touch. These measures are essential to protect the radioactive material from future generations and from nature itself, which can be unpredictable over such long periods.
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A challenge beyond human time
Understanding a period of 100.000 years is an almost impossible task for any human. For comparison, this interval is equivalent to 4.000 generations. 100.000 years ago, the planet was a place dominated by woolly mammoths and the first humans were beginning to explore the world outside of Africa.
This time horizon makes Onkalo a monument to Finland's commitment to environmental responsibility. The international community has already applauded the boldness and technical sophistication of the project, which combines natural and artificial barriers to safely isolate nuclear waste.
Onkalo's legacy
From 2025 onwards, Onkalo will be sealed, leaving behind a silent mission: to protect humanity and the environment from dangerous nuclear waste until nature itself makes it safe. Beneath the serene landscape of southwestern Finland, Onkalo will continue its work, unseen, while human history continues its course.
In this underground tunnel where no human will be able to set foot again, science, ethics and technology meet to leave a legacy that transcends our time.
I would like more details, verification control methods, construction details, cost, etc.
Any project that contains radioactive materials and is considered to be of strategic security, that is, details like the ones you want to know are not disclosed.
Materials Used
Concrete: Used extensively to create barriers that isolate nuclear waste and prevent contamination1.
Copper and Iron: The canisters that store the waste are made of copper and iron, materials chosen for their durability and resistance to corrosion2.
Granite: Onkalo is built on granite bedrock, which provides an additional natural barrier against radiation release…
If there is water infiltration, it is no longer safe. It will contaminate the water table at some point.
The estimated cost of building the Onkalo underground tunnel in Finland, designed to store nuclear waste for 100 years, varies slightly depending on the source. However, we can consider an average:
* Estimated cost: Around 3,4 billion dollars (or 2,6 billion euros).
It is important to note that this is a long-term project and the final cost may be subject to adjustments. In addition, the cost is financed through taxes levied on electricity companies.
Other important information:
* Start of construction: Works began in 2021.
* Operating forecast: The deposit is expected to start operating in 2023, but the complete network of tunnels will only be completed in 2120.
* Purpose: Onkalo is considered an innovative solution for the safe storage of nuclear waste for an extremely long period of time.
Got it, GPT.
Why? Are you going to inspect it or are you going to build something similar?
What for? What are you an inspector of?
It is probably an exhausted underground mine.
It would be ideal to put **** and his entire clan there a little away from humanity.
Squid?
ANOTHER MENTALLY ILL PERSON WITHOUT A BRAIN! SAD COUNTRY OF IGNORANT AND FUNCTIONALLY ILLITERATES!
They even voted for ****!
****!!
**** THIEF 💎 💍 💎
AND THE HYPNOTIZED DONKEYS KEEP NEIGHING!
Good 01 lol
Hahaha your idea is perfect. ptpsol never again!!!!!!
Don't forget the PL, the party of thieves
If the PL was a **** party, it was at the time of Lula 1 and Lula 2, in the mensalão of the **** and terrorist José Dirceu and the PT gang, today PTCC!! And the Petrolão, of the skunk and 9-fingered gang leader and his terrorist accomplice Dilmanta! Who stole 4 trillion from the Brazilian economy and the national treasury from the people's taxes!!
Yes it's true, best place to isolate B*z* and his straw Trump*os
Either you neigh or you are part of the **** that is f*cking up the country
Am I missing something? Is it B*z* who is throwing the country into the current shit?
****"alienated" is the same everywhere🤮🤮🤮
Place without freedom of expression, words are censored.
Whoever goes there is the whole PTCC gang!! You can be sure of that!!
Brazil is going down the drain with the dollar going to around 7 reais and the **** **** neighing defending the gang that he seems to be part of!!