Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory

Äspö HRL is an underground research laboratory consisting of a 3,600 meter long tunnel down to a depth of 500 meters. Äspö has been in operation since 1995 and the main research areas have been in geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry and rock mechanics.

The tunnel at Äspö is connected to the ground surface via lift and ventilation shafts. Above ground, there is a research village with offices, lift and ventilation buildings, storage depots etc. The laboratory is located in the vicinity of the Oskarshamn nuclear power plant 

The Äspö HRL is an important part of SKB's work with the design and construction of a deep geological repository for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Considerable international interest has been shown in its research as well as in the development and demonstration of the final repository. Researchers and experts in the field of natural science and technology have been engaged to carry out the work.

For further information about Äspö HRL, please visit SKB's website.

(Source: www.skb.se)

Illustration: Jan M Rojmar (Grafiska Illustrationer)