Teleseismic source parameters of the LONGSHOT, MILROW, and CANNIKIN nuclear explosions

Journal Article · Sun Feb 10 04:00:00 EDT 1974 · J. Geophys. Res., v. 79, no. 5, pp. 712-718

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JB079i005p00712· OSTI ID:4046295

King, C Y; Abo-Zena, A M; Murdock, N N

Teleseismic P-wave spectral ratios in the frequency band 0.2 to 3.5 Hz between the LONGSHOT, MILROW, and CANNIKIN nuclear explosions detonated under Amchitka Island can be explained well on the assumption that each source consists effectively of three P phases (direct, pP, and slapdown) with the following parametric values: the source radii are 0.4, 0.6, and 0.9 km for LONGSHOT, MILROW, and CANNIKIN, respectively; the relative source pressure steps are 1, 2.3, and 3.7; the pP-P time intervals are 0.49, 0.81, and 1.12 sec; and the slapdown-P time intervals are 0.87, 1.35, and 1.85 sec. The amplitudes of the pP and the slapdown phases are estimated to be 0.3 to 0.5 times the corresponding P amplitudes. The source radius, source pressure, pP-P time interval, and slapdown- P time interval all increase linearly with the depth of burial. The apparent average overburden P-wave velocities computed from the known depths and the estimated pP-P delays are 2.9, 3.1, and 3.3 km/sec, respectively. These values are approximately 15 percent lower than the velocities obtained from on-site measurements, indicating a velocity reduction for the surface-reflected P-waves in the inelastic source region. The quantity of source pressure times the cube of the source radius apparently increases linearly with the yield.

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-33-029062
• OSTI ID: 4046295
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res., v. 79, no. 5, pp. 712-718, Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res., v. 79, no. 5, pp. 712-718; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*CANNIKIN EVENT-- SEISMIC WAVES
*LONG SHOT EVENT-- SEISMIC WAVES
*MILROW EVENT-- SEISMIC WAVES
450201* --Explosions & Explosives--Nuclear--Civil Uses
N42520* --Engineering--Nuclear Explosions--Civil Uses
WAVE PROPAGATION