P-wave Spectra from Underground Nuclear Explosions

Observations ofTeleseismic P Wave Coda for Underground Explosions

-The early P wave coda (5-15 sec after the first arrival) of underground explosions at the Nevada Test Site is studied in the time domain using 2082 teleseismic short-period recordings, with the intent of identifying near-source contributions to the signals in the frequency range 0.2-2.0 Hz. Smaller magnitude events tend to have relatively high coda levels in the 0.4-0.8 Hz frequency band for b...

Delayed signatures of underground nuclear explosions.

Radionuclide signals from underground nuclear explosions (UNEs) are strongly influenced by the surrounding hydrogeologic regime. One effect of containment is delay of detonation-produced radioxenon reaching the surface as well as lengthening of its period of detectability compared to uncontained explosions. Using a field-scale tracer experiment, we evaluate important transport properties of a f...

Generation of High-frequency P and S Wave Radiation from Underground Explosions

Underground nuclear explosions and the control of earthquakes.

Underground nuclear explosions trigger significant earthquake activity for at least 32 hours afterward and to distances up to at least 860 kilometers. The proposed Amchitka test may be used to study the feasibility of employing high-yield underground nuclear explosions to release stresses accumulating in the lithosphere. Periodical explosions along active fault zones may be used to prevent disa...

A Comparative Study of the Elastic Wave Radiation from Earthquakes and Underground Explosions*

A detailed analysis of the surface wave radiation from two underground explosions (BILBY and SHOAL) and an earthquake near Fallon, Nevada, whose epicentre is only 60 km from SHOAL, indicates that: (1) at long periods the surface wave radiation from the earthquake can be explained by a pure quadrupole (double couple) source, but at higher frequencies the radiation pattern contains asymmetries wh...