Y-12 Plant May be Vulnerable to Earthquakes

The Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn., could be vulnerable to earthquakes, the Associated Press reported today (see GSN, Nov. 4).

A seismic analysis, conducted on a plant building where uranium warhead components are made, “indicated extensive seismic deficiencies with the building structure as well as facility systems and components,” according to an Oct. 15 memo from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.

A board spokesman declined to discuss details of the building’s weakness, AP reported.

It could cost upwards of $72 million and take up to five years to repair the building, according to the memo (Associated Press, Nov. 8). 

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