The non-proliferation experiment
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
On September 22, 1993, the Department of Energy detonated more than 1.2 million kg of blasting agent in a tunnel in Rainier Mesa at the Nevada Test Site. The resulting explosion generated seismic, electromagnetic, and air pressure signals that were recorded on instruments deployed at distances ranging from a few meters to hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of kilometers. More than 12 organizations made measurements before, during, and after the explosions. The explosion and its associated experiments are known as the Non-Proliferation Experiment (NPE). Analyses of the measurements made during the NPE and comparisons with similar measurements made on previous nearly nuclear explosions and on a co-located smaller explosion detonated at the same site are providing basic phenomenological insights into what is potentially one of the comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)-distinguishing between nuclear explosions and some of the many conventional explosions that occur each year. The NPE is also providing information on the use of chemical explosions to develop empirical discriminants in regions where no nuclear explosions have been recorded. In another verification application, several NPE projects are examining the utility of on-site, pre-shot, shot-time, and post-shot measurements of gas seepage, seismic activity, and other observables as a means of identifying the source of signals that appear like nuclear explosions at regional distances. Two related activities are being considered. First, challenge on-site inspections, conducted after an event has occurred, may be able to use the characteristics of phenomena that persist after the explosion to detect and identify the source of the signals that appeared ambiguous or explosion-like to remote sensors. Second, cooperative, on-site measurements made at the time of a pre-nounced conventional explosion may provide assurance that a nuclear explosion did not occur as part of or in place of the pre-announced explosion.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 95982
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9404100-; ON: DE95011413; TRN: 95:005144-0002
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Symposium on the non-proliferation experiment results and implications for test ban treaties, Rockville, MD (United States), 19-21 Apr 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1994]; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the symposium on the Non-Proliferation Experiment (NPE): Results and implications for test ban treaties; Denny, M.D.; Stull, S.P. [eds.]; PB: 599 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Proceedings of the symposium on the Non-Proliferation Experiment (NPE): Results and implications for test ban treaties
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Related Subjects
35 ARMS CONTROL
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS
PATTERN RECOGNITION
NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
VERIFICATION
AMMONIUM NITRATES
DETONATIONS
FUEL OILS
DATA COMPILATION
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIONS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
NEVADA TEST SITE
GROUND MOTION
SEISMIC WAVES
MAGNETIC FIELDS