Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant is an underground repository for radioactive waste in Carlsbad, New Mexico, located about 650 meters (2130 feet) below the surface within natural salt formations. The facility consists of chambers and tunnels carved into the underground salt deposits, with the salt itself serving as a natural barrier.

The Department of Energy began planning the facility in 1974 after recognizing the need for a permanent storage site for military nuclear waste. The first waste was stored in March 1999, following extensive testing and approval processes.

The site occupies an area of desert where few people live and human activity remains limited. Researchers created warning markers and messages in multiple languages designed to caution future generations for thousands of years without relying on symbols or words that might lose meaning.

Public visits are not allowed, as the site operates as a secured location under military supervision. The facility receives waste from federal sites across the country in specialized transport containers that meet strict safety regulations.

The salt formations around the storage chambers slowly move and seal any cracks or openings over time on their own. This natural ability of the salt eliminates the need for human repairs and ensures long-term containment.