Regional Seismic Detection Analyses of Selected Soviet Peaceful Nuclear Explosions.
Abstract
Seismic detection of small, evasively tested underground nuclear explosions remain as a major challenge to effective verification of any eventual CTBT. Most seismic detection research reported to date has focused on analyses of regional seismic signals recorded from explosions at the few known nuclear weapons test sites and, consequently, represent only limited ranges of the source and propagation path conditions of potential monitoring interest. In this study, we analyze regional seismic data recorded at the Borovoye station in Central Asia from a selected group of Soviet PNE tests which sample wider ranges of the source and propagation path variables of interest. The results of these analyses have indicated that it will in general be difficult to seismically detect low-yield, cavity decoupled nuclear explosions, even with high quality stations at regional distance of 100 or less, and that additional research will be required to optimize the seismic networks and signal processing systems needed to monitor such clandestine tests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA323757
Entities
People
- B. W. Barker
- D. D. Sultanov
- I. O. Kitov
- J. R. Murphy
- M. E. Marshall