Investigation of Atmospheric Pressure Waves from Nuclear Explosions
Abstract
Atmospheric gravity waves generated by low-altitude nuclear explosions have been detected by ground-level microbarographs and by ionospheric instruments. Group velocity dispersion curves have been computed for propagation over the short and long great-circle paths. Apparent lower velocities over the short paths are interpreted as due to the 'rise time' of the nuclear disturbances to ionospheric levels with subsequent generation of gravity waves at those levels. Corrections to travel times to account for the 'rise time' delays are estimated to be about 13 min or more. Corrected group velocity dispersion curves are found to agree with theoretical group velocity dispersion for atmospheric surface waves. The spatial coherence of 1-5 min acoustic waves from two nuclear explosions is presented along with atmospheric pressure background noise for the same period band. The spatial coherence of the waves from both explosions is greater than the noise coherence at station separations greater than 6-10 km.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 20, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0720853
Entities
People
- Thomas J. Herron
- William L. Donn
Organizations
- Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory