SEISMIC SAFETY NET, SHOAL EVENT
Abstract
The seismic signal from Project SHOAL, a 12.5 kt nuclear detonation in granite near Fallon, Nevada, was recorded by the Coast and Geodetic Survey in the distance range from 0.8 km to 441 km. Based upon an earth particle velocity of 5 cm/sec as the assumed dividing line between the safe zone and the damage zone, there were no commercial establishments or sites of habitation within the radius of possible damage for Project SHOAL. This distance was estimated at 4 km on granite and 11 km on alluvium. The radius of human perception for SHOAL, assuming a perception threshold of 0.21 cm/sec, was placed at about 45 km for alluvium foundations. Calculations from strong-motion seismograms placed the source seismic energy for the SHOAL Event at 1.60x 10 to the 18th power ergs, equivalent to an earthquake of unified magnitude, m, 5.17. The 'm' as determined from the Wood-Anderson seismographs was 5.22.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0608834
Entities
People
- L. M. Lowrie
- W. V. Mickey