Spectral discrimination of NTS explosions and earthquakes in the southwestern United States using high-frequency regional data

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL015i006p00625· OSTI ID:7028166

Chael, E P

A high-frequency seismic station has been operating since March, 1987, near Nelson, NV. Records of earthquakes at regional distances from the station show substantially more energy at frequencies above 10 Hz than records of nuclear tests of comparable magnitude on the Nevda Test Site. This contradicts the predictions made by investigators who have advocated high-frequency monitoring for nuclear test detection and identification. Measuring the slopes of the P/sub g/ velocity spectra between 4 and 30 Hz successfully discriminates 11 NTS explosions from 36 earthquakes recorded in the first seven months of operation. The spectral differences may result from the respective source depths, with the earthquakes occurring deeper and in faster material than the explosions. copyright American Geophysical Union 1988

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
• OSTI ID: 7028166
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 15:6; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450300* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Nuclear Explosion Detection
DETECTION
EARTHQUAKES
EXPLOSIONS
FEDERAL REGION IX
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEVADA TEST SITE
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR EXPLOSION DETECTION
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
SEISMIC ARRAYS
SEISMIC DETECTION
SEISMIC DETECTORS
SEISMIC EVENTS
SEISMOGRAPHS
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA