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Seismoacoustic analysis of underground explosions using the Rayleigh integral

Journal Article · · Geophysical Journal International
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggaa363· OSTI ID:1656689
 [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Earth & Environmental Sciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
  2. Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
+ Show Author Affiliations
SUMMARY A coupled seismoacoustic model is developed for the analysis of acoustic signals produced by underground explosive events with an aim to develop a means of improving estimated depth and yield for explosion monitoring. A ground spall model is used to predict surface motion characteristics produced by an underground explosion and the Rayleigh integral is applied to relate the surface motion to the acoustic signal some distance from surface ground zero. The low-frequency component of the ground motion associated with the prolonged free fall of lofted material during spall is found to dominate the acoustic signal propagating away from surface ground zero at shallow angles. The model is applied to observed ground motion and acoustic signals recorded during the Source Physics Experiment (SPE) with promising results. In addition to accurately predicting characteristics of the observed acoustic signals from several of the SPE events, the model provides a means of explaining the lack of signals observed during several events in the SPE due to the directionality of the higher frequency acoustic signals associated with the uplift and closure components as well as the lack of a spatially localized, longer duration dwell.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1656689
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1756824
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--20-22922
Journal Information:
Geophysical Journal International, Journal Name: Geophysical Journal International Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 223; ISSN 0956-540X
Publisher:
Oxford University PressCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

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