Seismic Wave Generation and Propagation from Complex 3D Explosion Sources

Abstract

We are investigating generation of complex seismic waves by explosions in media with realistic 3D heterogeneity, including topography and tectonic strain release. We have developed a 3D nonlinear finite element code CRAM3D designed for calculation of explosions in 3D heterogeneous media with well-tested material models and including gravity; and implemented interface codes using the representation theorem that propagate the numerical solution from the source region to regional and teleseismic distances. We simulated the nonproliferation experiment (NPE) including the effects of surface topography. We added the capability to calculate explosions with tectonic strain release. We specifically model the nuclear explosion Shoal. Shoal is in an area with northwest extension, which amplifies motion in that direction. Waveforms from the 3D calculation of Shoal are consistent with observed near field waveforms and surface wave radiation patterns. We also calculate far-field body waves and find that tectonic release has very little effect on far-field P-wave amplitudes, although it does generate SH waves not present in the calculation without tectonic release. This implies that while tectonic release may significantly affect Ms, the effect on mb will be small.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 28, 2014
Accession Number
ADA609610

Entities

People

  • Jeffry L. Stevens
  • Michael H P O'Brien
  • Thomas W. Thompson

Organizations

  • Leidos

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Doppler Effect
  • Earth Models
  • Explosions
  • Far Field
  • Love Waves
  • Materials
  • Near Field
  • Nuclear Explosions
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Patterns
  • Seismic Waves
  • Shock Waves
  • Surface Waves
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional
  • Wave Propagation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
  • Seismology