Broadband Seismology and the Detection and Verification of Underground Nuclear Explosions
Abstract
The detection and identification of low yield explosions requires seismic stations at regional distances. However, because the regional wavefield propagates within the extremely heterogeneous crustal waveguide, the seismic waveforms are also very complicated. Therefore, it is necessary to have a solid understanding of how the phases used in regional discriminants develop within different tectonic regimes. Thus, the development of the seismic phases Pn and Lg, which compose the seismic discriminant Pn/Lg are evaluated. The most fundamental discriminant is event location since 90% of all seismic sources occur too deep within the earth to be unnatural. France resumed its nuclear testing program and conducted 6 tests starting in Sept., 1995. Using teleseismic data, a joint hypocenter determination algorithm was used to determine the hypocenters of the explosions. One of the most stressing problems in monitoring a CTBT is the detection and location of small seismic events. Although seismic arrays have become the major tool for event location, sparse regional networks of 3-component broadband stations must also be used and surface wavetrain information will improve location of small events.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA331006
Entities
People
- Mark A. Tinker
Organizations
- University of Arizona