Finland has made history by building an underground tunnel 1,500 feet deep to safely store nuclear waste for the next 100,000 years. Located in Eurajoki, on Finland's west coast, this facility, named Onkalo—which translates to "cavity" in Finnish—is the first of its kind globally. From 2025, the tunnel will be sealed off, with no human access allowed for the next 100 millennia.
How does the Onkalo facility work?
This underground construction is meant to confine and isolate radioactive waste so it will not interact with the environment. The chances of hazardous material getting in contact with ecosystems or even human life at this depth are almost zero. According to experts, this facility is designed to safely hold nuclear waste for 100,000 years, therefore offering a long-term solution to one of the world's biggest environmental issues.
This bold project, which costs an estimated £860 million, represents a major step forward in nuclear waste management. According to The Sun, the tunnel’s depth measures approximately 1,480 feet. This initiative is not only a safety measure for Finland but also sets a precedent for other nations to follow as they grapple with similar challenges.
By burying nuclear waste deep into the Earth, Finland seeks to reduce the risks of radioactive materials. The design of the tunnel is innovative in that it keeps the waste undisturbed for thousands of years, protecting future generations and the environment from potential damage.
By having Onkalo, Finland has shown proactive steps toward managing nuclear waste, and other countries are also inspired to consider sustainable and safe solutions for the health of the planet.