Intersite Magnitude-Yield Bias Exemplified by the Underground Nuclear Explosions MILROW, BOXCAR and HANDLEY
Abstract
Estimates of surface-wave and body-wave magnitude were made from all available teleseismic WWSSN recordings of the Nevada Test Site shots BOXCAR and the Amchitka Test Site shot MILROW, in the megaton range of yield. These shots had very closely matched medium properties at the shot point. Tectonic strain release is not a significant factor in the amplitudes of either set of waves for these two shots. When averaged over common networks, and corrected for slight yield difference, the BOXCAR m sub 6 is approximately 0.3 less than that of MILROW while the BOXCAR M sub s is approximately 0.5 larger than that of MILROW. Analysis of the respective shot media does not account for these differences. For m sub b the major portion of the difference is probably due to greater attenuation under the NTS, as evidenced by comparison of MILROW and BOXCAR waveshapes and spectra. No adequate explanation can be found for the large M sub s difference. Another megaton shot at NTS, HANDLEY, was also analyzed to provide control. While the HANDLEY m sub b is approximately equal to that of MILROW the shot point medium was substantially different and if account is made of the response of the shot point medium to a dilatant force according to the theory of Hudson and Douglas (1975), then the m sub b difference between HANDLEY and BOXCAR may be accounted for theoretically.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 05, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA086840
Entities
People
- D. H. Von Seggern