Vertical force scaling in seismic source models of underground nuclear explosions
Abstract
SUMMARY We have reanalysed observations of body waves and surface waves for 71 well-recorded underground nuclear explosions (UNEs) that were conducted between 1977 and 1989 at the Balapan subregion of the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. To reconcile differences between body-wave and surface-wave amplitudes, we solve for a scaling factor between vertical and horizontal forces in the explosion model. We find that the estimated scaling factor is anticorrelated with the scaled depth of burial for the subset of UNEs at Balapan that have published depths. The observed anticorrelation and the inferred variations in force scaling suggest that recorded surface-wave amplitudes are significantly influenced by UNE burial depth as well as by previously recognized tectonic release. As part of our analysis, we revisit the relationship between teleseismic mb(P) and yield for UNEs at Balapan, and discuss the physical basis for effectiveness of the mb–MS discriminant.
- Authors:
-
[1];
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
- Publication Date:
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1595509
- Grant/Contract Number:
- NA0002534
- Resource Type:
- Published Article
- Journal Name:
- Geophysical Journal International
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Geophysical Journal International Journal Volume: 221 Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 0956-540X
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
Citation Formats
Howe, Michael, Ekström, Göran, and Richards, Paul G. Vertical force scaling in seismic source models of underground nuclear explosions. United Kingdom: N. p., 2020.
Web. doi:10.1093/gji/ggz582.
Howe, Michael, Ekström, Göran, & Richards, Paul G. Vertical force scaling in seismic source models of underground nuclear explosions. United Kingdom. doi:10.1093/gji/ggz582.
Howe, Michael, Ekström, Göran, and Richards, Paul G. Wed .
"Vertical force scaling in seismic source models of underground nuclear explosions". United Kingdom. doi:10.1093/gji/ggz582.
@article{osti_1595509,
title = {Vertical force scaling in seismic source models of underground nuclear explosions},
author = {Howe, Michael and Ekström, Göran and Richards, Paul G.},
abstractNote = {SUMMARY We have reanalysed observations of body waves and surface waves for 71 well-recorded underground nuclear explosions (UNEs) that were conducted between 1977 and 1989 at the Balapan subregion of the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. To reconcile differences between body-wave and surface-wave amplitudes, we solve for a scaling factor between vertical and horizontal forces in the explosion model. We find that the estimated scaling factor is anticorrelated with the scaled depth of burial for the subset of UNEs at Balapan that have published depths. The observed anticorrelation and the inferred variations in force scaling suggest that recorded surface-wave amplitudes are significantly influenced by UNE burial depth as well as by previously recognized tectonic release. As part of our analysis, we revisit the relationship between teleseismic mb(P) and yield for UNEs at Balapan, and discuss the physical basis for effectiveness of the mb–MS discriminant.},
doi = {10.1093/gji/ggz582},
journal = {Geophysical Journal International},
number = 1,
volume = 221,
place = {United Kingdom},
year = {2020},
month = {1}
}
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DOI: 10.1093/gji/ggz582
DOI: 10.1093/gji/ggz582
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