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www.lightplanet.com...
The Vault, as it is commonly known, is a massive excavation reaching 600 feet into the north side of the canyon. Constructed between 1958 and 1963 at a cost of $2 million, it consists of two main areas. The office and laboratory section sits beneath an overhang of about 300 feet of granite and houses shipping and receiving docks, microfilm processing and evaluation stations, and administrative offices. Under 700 feet of stone, the Vault proper is situated farther back in the mountain behind the laboratory section and consists of six chambers (each 190 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 25 feet high), which are accessed by one main entrance and two smaller passageways. Specially constructed Mosler doors weighing fourteen tons (at the main entrance) and nine tons (guarding the two smaller entrances) are designed to withstand a nuclear blast. In the six chambers, nature maintains constant humidity and temperature readings optimum for microfilm storage.
Each chamber contains banks of steel cabinets ten feet high. As of February 1991, approximately 1.7 million rolls of microfilm, in 16mm and 35mm formats, were housed in two of the six chambers. The collection increases by 40,000 rolls per year. Alternate media, such as optical disks with greater capacity for storage than microfilm, are being considered for use and may make further expansion of the Vault unnecessary.
Originally posted by para
The Granite Mountain Facility is a large vault built by the Mormon church that is burrowed into the side of the Wasatch Mountains. Is supposed purpose is to hold genealogical records in a place that can withstand a nuclear blast.
www.lightplanet.com...
The Vault, as it is commonly known, is a massive excavation reaching 600 feet into the north side of the canyon. Constructed between 1958 and 1963 at a cost of $2 million, it consists of two main areas. The office and laboratory section sits beneath an overhang of about 300 feet of granite and houses shipping and receiving docks, microfilm processing and evaluation stations, and administrative offices. Under 700 feet of stone, the Vault proper is situated farther back in the mountain behind the laboratory section and consists of six chambers (each 190 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 25 feet high), which are accessed by one main entrance and two smaller passageways. Specially constructed Mosler doors weighing fourteen tons (at the main entrance) and nine tons (guarding the two smaller entrances) are designed to withstand a nuclear blast. In the six chambers, nature maintains constant humidity and temperature readings optimum for microfilm storage.
Each chamber contains banks of steel cabinets ten feet high. As of February 1991, approximately 1.7 million rolls of microfilm, in 16mm and 35mm formats, were housed in two of the six chambers. The collection increases by 40,000 rolls per year. Alternate media, such as optical disks with greater capacity for storage than microfilm, are being considered for use and may make further expansion of the Vault unnecessary.
Note that despite all the security features, these guys were able to make it to the front door.
I find it odd that they would spend this much money just to keep track of family histories. It also seems strange that they would need a laboratory section in a place that is primarily designed for storage purposes.
Another thing that caught my eye was the fact that Dick Cheney was apparently taken here immediately following the attacks on September 11th as it was deemed a "secure location." How would the military/government be able to asses the security of a location that is a completely civilian enterprise? Why was he taken here when Cheyenne Mountain was so close? Also, a USGS seismometer was installed here ten days after the attacks (which may or may not mean anything).
I have never put much faith into the tunnels that are supposed to run underneath the American Southwest, but this seems as good an entrance as any. In any case, it doesn't add up to me. I would bet that there is more going on here than meets the eye. It would be great to hear from any former employees or LDS members to get their take on this.
thesugarbeet.com...
www.seis.utah.edu...
www.angelfire.com... -- Take with a grain of salt...
Originally posted by para
Of course, I'm not mormon either, so maybe I am underestimating the religious value of geneoloy.
Originally posted by DeltaNine
This is just my ignorance being curious, so please don't be offended.
There is a difference between a regular LDS Church and a Temple?
Yes, a Mormon "regular church" is the meeting place utilized every Sunday for Sacrament Meeting and Sunday schools, and also for various other meetings among the members of that ward/branch (group of members in a designated geographic area) throughout the week. The Temple is a place where Mormons go to perform "sacred" rituals, such as Baptisms for the Dead, Endowments, and marriages/Sealings. It is considered the "house of God" and you can only enter it with a Temple Recommend which you get by having an interview with your Bishop who decides whether you are worthy enough to enter the "house of God" or not.