Phenomenology and Containment of Underground Nuclear Explosions
Abstract
This document will deal with some aspects of the phenomenology of underground nuclear explosions. It is divided into four general sections. First, we shall examine the rather extensive history of routine underground explosions and note that, from a pragmatic point of view, a nuclear explosion can be contained by putting it underground. Those few cases where some radioactivity was released will be examined to see if they can be categorized or if there were extenuating circumstances. Second, we shall describe the calculation of early time phenomenology the interactions between a nuclear explosion and the media surrounding it during the first few tenths of a second after the explosion. We shall attempt to substantiate these calculations by showing how well they agree with actual measurements. Third, we will present a parallel discussion of the calculation of late time phenomenology and the verificati6n of these calculations by field observations. Fourth, we shall address the question of how containment is affected by geological features such as faults and joints.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- ADA384780
Entities
People
- J. S. Kahn
- Lawrence S. Germain
Organizations
- University of California