Geophysical investigations at Pahute Mesa, Nevada. Final report, 1 February 1985-31 January 1987

Technical Report · Wed Aug 12 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:7001134

Ferguson, J F; Reamer, S K

The seismic response of underground nuclear explosion tests at Pahute Mesa, NV displays variations that correlate with the geologic/geophysical structure. Investigations were performed using borehole, gravity, and wide-angle seismic observations, with the aim of producing a geophysical model of the Silent Canyon caldera structure at Pahute Mesa. Empirical models of the density and seismic velocity were formulated, based on well logs. New gravity stations were obtained in 1985 and merged with older, lower-quality data. A new gravity-modeling technique was developed and applied to the modeling of a transect across the area. The resulting model supports the hypothesis that a high density and velocity blanket at a depth of a few kilometers. In 1986 a wide-angle seismic reflection/refraction survey was completed near the gravity profile. The 15-km-long line crossed the buried caldera boundary as well as important normal faults. The shot point was located on outcropping basement. Future interpretation of the combined gravity and seismic data should permit the construction of a predictive geophysical model.

• Research Organization: Texas Univ., Dallas (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7001134
• Report Number(s): AD-A-190478/8/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
58 GEOSCIENCES
NEVADA TEST SITE
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
TEST FACILITIES
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS
SEISMOLOGY
BOREHOLES
CALDERAS
DENSITY
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOPHYSICS
NEVADA
PROGRESS REPORT
SEISMIC DETECTION
VELOCITY
VOLCANOES
WELL LOGGING
CAVITIES
DETECTION
DOCUMENT TYPES
EXPLOSIONS
FEDERAL REGION IX
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
450202* - Explosions & Explosives- Nuclear- Weaponry- (-1989)
580201 - Geophysics- Seismology & Tectonics- (1980-1989)