USE OF LARGE CAVITIES TO REDUCE SEISMIC WAVES FROM UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS
An analysis is given of an experiment designed to test the theory of seismic decoupling of underground explosions. The amplitude of the seismic signal from a 1.7-kt nuclear explosion in a hole in salt is calculated and compared with the measured value from the 1.7-kt Rainier shot in tuff at the same distance. A decoupling factor of about 300 results. The experiment, called Cowboy is designed to test the decoupling principle by carrying out a series of eight highexplosive shots in two spheres made in a salt dome, and nine tamped shots for comparison. The seismic data are obtuined primarily at ranges of 14,000 and 22,000 feet and at frequencies of 10 to 30 cps. A salt-to-salt decoupling factor of 100 is obtained which is consistent with the predicted tuff- to-salt factor of 300. When the sphere is overdriven so that the walls do not move elastically (which violates a condition of the theory for full decoupling). decoupling factors of 10 and 30 are measured. The seismic data are interpreted to give the dependence of decoupling on the various parameters of the experiment. The decoupling deduced from measurements made 80 feet from the shot points is found to be consistent with that deduced from the measurements at 14,000 and 22,000 feet. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Livermore
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-014060
- OSTI ID:
- 4064106
- Journal Information:
- J. Geophys. Research, Journal Name: J. Geophys. Research Vol. Vol: 66
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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