Jura Ost

The geological siting area covers an area of around 60 square kilometres. The preferred host rock is the Opalinus Clay (with its confining units).

Understanding of the spatial conditions in the area is based on 2D seismic investigations and results from a deep borehole (Riniken). The siting area is located in a region that has partly been tectonically overprinted by the folding of the Jura mountains (precursory folding zone). For this reason, the host rock has areas with largely quiet bedding as well as zones with tectonic elements; these occur mainly in the marginal zones of the siting area.

In general, the host rock shows quiet bedding, with a slight dip to the south, and offers a certain degree of flexibility in terms of the layout of the disposal caverns and tunnels.

Overall, the siting area is evaluated as being very suitable. 

The underground installations for a deep geological repository for low- and intermediate-level waste in the Opalinus Clay could be constructed in the area shown in green.

Siting communities:
Canton Aargau: Bözen, Effingen, Elfingen, Gallenkirch, Gansingen, Herznach, Hornussen, Ittenthal, Linn, Mönthal, Oberbözberg, Remigen, Riniken, Sulz, Ueken, Umiken, Unterbözberg, Villigen, Villnachern, Zeihen

Planning perimeter for surface facilities

The required surface infrastructure (e.g. the portal of the access tunnel) could also be located outside this siting region. Working together with the affected Cantons and representatives from Germany, the Federal Government has defined planning zones (so-called planning perimeters) that include these additional areas. The planning perimeter extends up to 5 km around the geological siting region and should have good road or rail access. Mountainous and hilly zones and protected natural areas are restricting factors. The Federal Office of Energy announced the planning perimeters in provisional form on 10th December 2009; these were approved by the Federal Council on 30th November 2011.

Additional communities within the planning perimeter (besides the siting communities):
Canton Aargau: Birmenstorf, Birr, Böttstein, Brugg, Döttingen, Etzgen, Frick, Gebenstorf, Gipf-Oberfrick, Habsburg, Hausen, Holderbank, Kaisten, Laufenburg, Lupfig, Mettau, Mülligen, Oberhofen, Oeschgen, Rüfenach, Scherz, Schinznach-Bad, Schinznach-Dorf, Turgi, Untersiggenthal, Veltheim, Windisch, Wittnau, Würenlingen

• The Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is responsible for the sectoral plan process. Further information and contact persons for questions on the sectoral plan can be found under: www.bfe.admin.ch/radioaktiveabfaelle

• The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) (until 31 December 2008: HSK) is the regulatory authority for all questions relating to safety. Further information can be found under: www.ensi.ch

• For questions to Nagra on your region:



• André Lambert     Tel. +41 (0)56 437 12 99