Infrasound Calibration Experiment in Israel: Preparation and Test Shots
Abstract
The Geophysical Institute of Israel (GII) started a new project of establishing a calibration infrasound dataset for the Eastern Mediterranean/Middle East region for improvement of monitoring capabilities of international network infrasound stations. The dataset is intended to characterize the infrasonic wave propagation in the region: travel times, spectra, amplitudes, dependence on source yield, and atmospheric conditions. To achieve these goals, a series of experimental surface shots will be conducted at Sayarim Military Range (SMR), located in southern Israel, Negev desert, including the main calibration explosion of 80 tons (TNT equivalent). During the explosions numerous portable co-located infrasound and seismic systems will be deployed at near-source (0.1?1 km) (accelerometers), local (10?350 km), and regional distances (500?1500 km) in neighboring countries (during the main explosion). Tripartite arrays of low-frequency electret condenser microphones will be installed at close distances less than 100 km, and Chaparral sensors will be used for infrasound observations at larger distances. Preliminary test explosions of broad yield range and various designs are planned during the first project year, on different days, including outdate ammunition detonations, conducted regularly at Sayarim Range, thus providing a wide range of atmospheric conditions. The test explosions are intended to fulfill a number of tasks: testing new infrasound recording systems; yield scaling signal amplitude/energy; testing charge design and preparations and conducting logistics for the big explosion; analyzing atmospheric effects on infrasound propagation in different azimuths, based on collected meteo-data about wind direction and velocity in different months; and validating safety estimations/conditions for successive increasing charges.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA516252
Entities
People
- Rami Hofstetter
- Yefim Gitterman