Current information about the experiments in the Mont Terri rock laboratory
The key question is: can radioactive waste be stored safely in Opalinus Clay? The Mont Terri rock laboratory is engaged solely in research. No deep geological disposal will be built at Mont Terri.
Useful links and important partners for the project
What is the purpose of a rock laboratory? Why is research being carried out here into the Opalinus Clay? Who is taking part in the research? What are the research objectives?
22 partners from Europe, Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, the USA and Switzerland are carrying out research at the Mont Terri rock laboratory.
The Mont Terri Project is an international research project for the hydrogeological, geochemical and geotechnical characterisation of a clay formation (Opalinus Clay).
We give here the history of the project from the mid-1990s onwards with a summary of the milestones.
As the representative of the federal government, swisstopo concluded contracts with the project partners and with the Canton of Jura, providing a legal basis for the activities.
The federal government represented by swisstopo funds the operation of the rock laboratory (no third party is involved). The participating partners fund the research programme.
The Mont Terri rock laboratory is situated to the north of St-Ursanne in the canton of Jura, around 300 m underground. It is accessed via the safety gallery of the Mont Terri motorway tunnel.
The rock laboratory comprises 1200 m of galleries and niches. The horse-shoe shaped galleries are 4 to 5 m high and well-lit.
swisstopo (which includes Swiss Geological Survey) is responsible for the independent, smooth, and safe operation of the rock laboratory. The site belongs to the canton of Jura.
The rock laboratory is situated in the Opalinus Clay rock formation, a marly argillaceous claystone with different proportions of sand and carbonates.
This short movie presents the new geological 3D-model of the Mont Terri area. Data from the lab (boreholes, mappings) are combined with regional geological data (maps, cross-sections, etc.).
The main tectonic element in the investigation area is the Mont Terri anticline. It is the northernmost anticline of the folded Jura.
Opalinus Clay exhibits properties conducive to the deep geological storage of radioactive waste. The advantages clearly outweigh any disadvantages.
One group of experiments comprises the development of new research and measurement methods, particularly adapted to the Opalinus Clay.
Since 1996, experiments have been carried out in the Mont Terri rock laboratory. The expansion of the laboratory in 2018/2019 allows us to carry out new experiments.
Opalinus Clay is being investigated as a potential host rock for the storage of nuclear waste due to its specific characteristics.
The Mont Terri rock laboratory is a generic laboratory. It is exclusively dedicated to research and will never be used as a storage site for radioactive waste.
Demonstration experiments show the feasibility for a future deep geological repository for radioactive waste and the thermal-hydraulic-mechanical (THM) response of Opalinus Clay.
During the visits to the Mont Terri rock laboratory similar questions are often asked to the guides. Below the five most frequent questions are answered briefly.
Scientific publications in specialist journals
Coverage in the press, on the radio and on TV
Scientific reports on tests at the Mont Terri laboratory
Sign up to find out about the current status of research in our rock laboratory. We welcome groups of 10 or more visitors, from Monday to Saturday.
Feedback from visitors about our rock laboratory and guided tours. Obtain a first impression and view our photo gallery.
Here you can register quickly and conveniently. We look forward to welcoming you!
The location of our visitor centre is indicated on the map below, ideally situated 2 minutes away from St-Ursanne train station.
