EARTH DEFORMATION FROM A NUCLEAR DETONATION IN SALT
Abstract
Measurement of rock deformation caused by the Gnome explosion revealed that maximum permanent surface displacement was confined to an area within 100 meters of surface ground zero. The surface above ground zero remained permanently raised 0.3 to 0.5 meters after an initial transient displacement estimated to be 1.5 meters. The permanent deformation was characterized by fractures with offsets up to 0.2 meters. Abundant hair-line fractures were observed out to 300 meters. Occasional small fractures were noted as far as 1000 meters from surface ground zero. Underground, fractures were observed in the shaft lining at 23, 27, 49, and 146 meters, with a slight water seep at 146 meters. The tunnel examination -- which prior to January 10 had been limited to the station near the bottom of the shaft -- revealed an irregularly coneshaped pile of slabs reaching a maximum height of 1.2 meters at the center of the room. Four large slabs had fallen from the walls and fine spalling had removed most of a reference grid which had been painted on the wall. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 22, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0273519
Entities
People
- R.b. Hoy
- R.m. Foose
Organizations
- SRI International