Theoretical Calculation of Acoustic-Gravity Wave Excitation by Nuclear Explosions in the Atmosphere

Abstract

From theoretical calculations of acoustic-gravity waves in the period range 40 to 1,000 seconds from various combinations of yield and burst height, the authors conclude that the power varies as the square of the yield for low- altitude explosions and as the two-thirds power for altitudes above 100 km. For a given yield, the power increases with burst height to a maximum which is found at lower altitudes for higher yields. The affect of variable atmospheric structure along the propagation paths render it possible to make only a rough estimate of yield and no meaningful estimate of burst height. The study also shows that all of the first ten modes are always relatively well excited so that the relative modal structure of a signal is not a good diagnostic for burst height.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 05, 1973
Accession Number
AD0759549

Entities

People

  • C. A. Newton
  • D. G. Harkrider
  • E. A. Flinn

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Amplitude
  • Atmospheres
  • Computer Programs
  • Contracts
  • Crystal Lattice Vibrations
  • Explosions
  • Frequency
  • Gravity Waves
  • Group Velocity
  • Low Altitude
  • Nuclear Explosions
  • Scientific Research
  • Spectra
  • Waveforms
  • Waves

Readers

  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Seismology
  • Systems Analysis and Design