How does water move above and below a potential repository at Yucca Mountain?
How does temperature affect the movement of water in the immediate area of the potential repository?
How long do we expect the containers and waste forms to last, and what will happen to the waste as the containers and waste forms wear away over time?
How do water and heat affect the chemical environment of the containers, waste forms, and the immediate area around the repository?
How do radioactive elements released from degraded waste move away from the repository?
How do engineering design, construction, and operation of a repository affect short- and long-term repository safety?
How do geologic features and events, such as fractures and earthquakes, affect repository safety?
How likely is it that volcanic eruptions or igneous intrusions will disrupt the repository, and what would be the potential consequences to people and the environment?
How will the entire system of engineered and natural barriers work together to retain waste so that the proposed repository at Yucca Mountain will comply with safety and environmental standards?