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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

A radiation briefer's guide to the PIKE Model

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7028206· OSTI ID:7028206
Gamma-radiation-exposure estimates to populations living immediately downwind from the Nevada Test Site have been required for many years by the US Department of Energy (DOE) before each containment-designed nuclear detonation. A highly unlikely worst-case'' scenario is utilized which assumes that there will be an accidental massive venting of radioactive debris into the atmosphere shortly after detonation. The Weather Service Nuclear Support Office (WSNSO) has supplied DOE with such estimates for the last 25 years using the WSNSO Fallout Scaling Technique (FOST), which employs a worst-case analog event that actually occurred in the past. The PIKE Model'' is the application of the FOST using the PIKE nuclear event as the analog. This report, which is primarily intended for WSNSO meteorologists who derive radiation estimates, gives a brief history of the model,'' presents the mathematical, radiological, and meteorological concepts upon which it is based, states its limitations, explains it apparent advantages over more sophisticated models, and details how it is used operationally. 10 refs., 31 figs., 7 tabs.
Research Organization:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Las Vegas, NV (USA). Weather Service Nuclear Support Office
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/DP
DOE Contract Number:
AI08-87NV10566
OSTI ID:
7028206
Report Number(s):
DOE/NV-335; ON: DE90009575
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English