Topics: DTIC Archive, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSION DETECTION, UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, ANNOUNCEMENT BULLETINS, NUCLEAR...
Using a deep deployment of an 80-element, 3-component borehole seismic array stretching from 1.5 to 2.3 kilometer (km) depth at the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD), we examine recordings of chemical explosions to better understand the generation of shear waves by explosive sources. The well is near-vertical at 1.5km and gradually transitions to a dip of 38 degrees at the deepest recording location. The chemical shots are high velocity chemical shots buried between 10-30 m and...
Topics: DTIC Archive, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MENLO PARK CA, *SEISMIC WAVES, SECONDARY WAVES, UNDERGROUND...
This report summarizes the AEC activity in the peaceful uses of nuclear explosives. The primary effort in this field is being conducted by the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory under their PLOWSHARE program. It is intended that subsequent reports be issued annually, with quarterly supplements to maintain the currency of the basic report. A selected bibliography is included for the reader who desires further information.
Topics: DTIC Archive, CALIFORNIA UNIV BERKELEY LAWRENCE RADIATION LAB, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, REPORTS,...
Topics: DTIC Archive, ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION WASHINGTON DC, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS,...
Distinction between very shallow (1-4 km deep) earthquakes and underground nuclear explosions remains an important issue in discrimination research. This is because very shallow earthquakes are seldom well-recorded and documented. As a consequence, their source parameters, scaling and their local and regional propagation characteristics are not well understood. Thus, unlike for deeper events, the effectiveness of the discrimination algorithms when applied to unusually shallow earthquakes has...
Topics: DTIC Archive, NEVADA UNIV RENO NV, *EARTHQUAKES, DISCRIMINATION, RANGE(DISTANCE), SHALLOW DEPTH,...
The Second Plowshare Symposium was held in San Francisco, California on May l3-l5, 1959. The main topics covered were: Underground Explosion Phenomenology, Excavation with Nuclear Explosives, Power and Isotope Recovery Studies, Industrial Applications, and Scientific Experiments In order to publish the proceedings in volumes of a reasonable size, each of the major sessions is being published separately. As is indicated by the topic headings, the meeting followed a planned sequence from the...
Topics: DTIC Archive, CALIFORNIA UNIV BERKELEY LAWRENCE RADIATION LAB, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, *UNDERGROUND...
As part of the Vela Uniform program, Project Dribble was concerned with the measurement of seismic signals generated by nuclear detonation in a salt dome. The report describes a vent-gas treatment facility which was connected to the post-shot drilling rig at the well head to remove radioactive particulates from the cavity effluents and control release rate of gaseous radioactivity to meet public health safety standards.
Topics: DTIC Archive, CALIFORNIA UNIV LIVERMORE RADIATION LAB, *DECONTAMINATION, *EXPLOSION GASES, NUCLEAR...
Topics: DTIC Archive, FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY DIV WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, CHINA,...
Results are given of pressure-time measurements measured by two gages at each of eight stations from surface ground zero to 6000 feet on the Cabriolet event. The largest overpressures resulted from the air-transmitted ground-shock-induced pulse and were comparable to those measured on the Danny Boy and Sulky events. There is evidence that for underground explosions as for aboveground explosions the air blast from a 1-kiloton nuclear explosion is comparable to that from 1/2 kiloton of TNT. The...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Vortman, L J, SANDIA CORP ALBUQUERQUE NM, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, *AIRBURST, UNDERGROUND...
Underground Explosions , a Russian language book authored by Drs. Vitaly V. Adushkin and Alexander A. Spivak has been translated into the English language, with support from Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance, U.S. Department of State, under DOS award SAQMMA13M2475.
Topics: DTIC Archive, WESTON GEOPHYSICAL CORP LEXINGTON MA, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, MONITORING, NUCLEAR...
We have examined the feasibility of using short-period, fundamental-mode surface waves (Rg) to estimate the yields and depths of burial (DOB) of small chemical explosions recorded at local distances. Rg and other surface wave arrivals were recorded from the HUMBLE REDWOOD I and II (HR I and II) experiments. The experiments were conducted in and above the dry alluvium of Kirtland AFB, NM near the eastern margin of the Albuquerque Basin, and were recorded by extensive local seismic and acoustic...
Topics: DTIC Archive, WESTON GEOPHYSICAL CORP LEXINGTON MA, *RAYLEIGH WAVES, *SEISMIC VELOCITY, AMPLITUDE,...
Topics: DTIC Archive, REYNOLDS ELECTRICAL AND ENGINEERING CO INC MERCURY NV, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSION TESTING,...
In the Project DRIBBLE Salmon Event a 5-kt nuclear device was detonated near the bottom of a 2,720-foot-deep hole drilled vertically into a salt dome in Mississippi. The report describes work by the U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station in (1) furnishing grouting consultant services and technical assistance in the field during grouting operations, (2) conducting stemming studies for the device emplacement hole, (3) developing formation- matching grouts for use in grouting instruments...
Topics: DTIC Archive, ARMY ENGINEER WATERWAYS EXPERIMENT STATION VICKSBURG MS, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS,...
This project involves research being performed to improve ground motion simulation capabilities for underground explosion monitoring. We are working along two thrusts: 1) we are coupling hydrodynamic (non-linear shock) and seismic (linear anelastic) wave propagation codes; and 2) we are investigating the effect of source emplacement conditions on ground motions. For both thrusts we are modeling explosion motions using GEODYN, an Eulerian hydrodynamic code developed at Lawrence Livermore...
Topics: DTIC Archive, LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LAB CA, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, EMPLACEMENT, GROUND...
Electromagnetic fields and ground currents resulting from underground nuclear explosions have been observed since the first such event. A few measurements have been reported, but most have not. There also have been some speculations as to their origin; the two most generally proposed are the magnetic bubble and the seismoelectric effect. The evidence seems to favor the latter mechanism.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Malik, John, LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LAB NM, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, *UNDERGROUND...
The purpose of this investigation was to make a detailed study of the fundamental properties of PS converted waves to ascertain whether they can be detected consistently on seismograms from both underground nuclear explosions and earthquakes and whether they can be used to help distinguish underground nuclear explosions from earthquakes. The study included: (a) Theoretical considerations of the amplitudes of PS and other converted waves as compared to observed amplitudes. (b) Harmonic analysis...
Topics: DTIC Archive, UTAH UNIV SALT LAKE CITY, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, *SEISMIC WAVES, *UNDERGROUND...
The objective of this project was to measure and correlate, with existing data, the physical characteristics of craters (radius, depth, lip height and width, throwout, and permanent vertical ground-surface displacement surrounding the crater) resulting from near-surface nuclear detonations. Primary participation was on Shots Koa, Cactus, and Fig, the only landsurface bursts of Operation Hardtack. Dimensions of the craters were determined by topographic, lead-line, and aerial-sterographic...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Patteson, A W, ARMY ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LABS FORT BELVOIR VA,...
The quasistatic micromechanical damage mechanics originally formulated by Ashby and Sammis has been made fully dynamical by the incorporation of physically motivated crack growth laws. This rate-dependent damage mechanics has been implemented in the ABAQUS dynamic finite element code and tested by simulating strength data for marble measured over a ten order of magnitude range of loading rates. The model is used here to explore the effect of burn rate (loading rate) on the spatial extent of...
Topics: DTIC Archive, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, BURNING RATE,...
This report deals with the problems of variation of P sub n amplitudes in the regional and near-regional distance ranges (200-2100 kilometers). The data used were recorded by Long Range Seismic Measurement (LRSM) vans of the VELA Seismological Center as a result of earthquakes throughout the United States and numerous nuclear and chemical explosions in the same region. It is shown that the patterns of P sub n amplitudes versus delta in Western and Eastern United States (WUS and EUS) are...
Topics: DTIC Archive, VELA SEISMOLOGICAL CENTER ALEXANDRIA VA, *SEISMOLOGY, EARTHQUAKES, PROPAGATION,...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Wheeler, V E, LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LAB CA, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, *UNDERGROUND...
An isotopic spectrum from localized air samples has potential technical information to provide a rapid first-order yield estimate of an underground nuclear explosion (UNE) or a simple yes/no detection of a UNE in the context of On-site Inspection (OSI). The isotopic spectrum is presumed to be derived from environmental air samples near the location of the UNE containing nuclear products from the fission reaction of the explosion. Additionally, a seismic spectrum is derived from the sensed...
Topics: DTIC Archive, LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LAB NM, *ISOTOPES, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, AIR, DETECTION,...
For nearly 40 years the forensic seismology group at Blacknest have published estimates of the basic parameters of presumed explosions (epicentre, origin time, body-wave magnitude) determined using state- of-the-art methods from bulletin data (usually the International Seismological Centre (ISC) bulletin). These basic parameters are widely considered to be some of the most reliable estimates that are freely available. However, not all presumed explosions have been analysed. Here, we estimate...
Topics: DTIC Archive, INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHIC SCIENCES BLACKNEST (UNITED KINGDOM), *UNDERGROUND...
Topics: DTIC Archive, NEWMARK, N. M., NORRIS, C. H., CORPS OF ENGINEERS WASHINGTON DC, *UNDERGROUND...
Small underground nuclear explosions need to be confidently detected and identified in regions of the world where they have never before occurred. We are developing a parametric model of the nuclear explosion seismic source spectrum derived from regional phases (Pn, Pg, Sn, and Lg) that is compatible with earthquake-based geometrical spreading and attenuation. Earthquake spectra are fit with a generalized version of the Brune spectrum, which is a three-parameter model that describes the...
Topics: DTIC Archive, LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LAB CA, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, CONTAINMENT(GENERAL),...
A new, simple and efficient algorithm is described which computes the probability of occurrence of at least (or exactly) k out of N events, given the individual event probabilities. A comparison is made with two previous methods. Computer program listings are given.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Wirth, Mark H, TELEDYNE GEOTECH ALEXANDRIA VA SEISMIC DATA LAB, *PROBABILITY,...
Small underground nuclear explosions need to be confidently detected and identified in regions of the world where they have never occurred. We are developing a parametric model of the nuclear explosion seismic source spectrum derived from regional phases (Pn, Pg, Sn, and Lg) that is compatible with earthquake-based geometrical spreading and attenuation. Earthquake spectra are fit with a generalized version of the Brune spectrum, which is a three-parameter model that describes the long-period...
Topics: DTIC Archive, LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LAB CA, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, EARTHQUAKES, GEOLOGY,...
Objectives are to develop and apply two methods to improve source and path corrections for regional seismic phases. In first, we estimate and constrain source parameters using Brune model fits to relative spectra of regional seismic phases for event pairs with similar locations and focal mechanisms, but different seismic moments. We then use source-corrected spectra to estimate geometrical spreading, Q, and site terms for Pn, Pg, Sn, and Lg. We performed preliminary study using waveform...
Topics: DTIC Archive, ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC MINNEAPOLIS MN, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, *EARTHQUAKES,...
Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), U.S.A., and the National Nuclear Center (NNC), Republic of Kazakhstan, jointly conducted a series of large chemical explosions during the summer of 1997 through 1999 at the former Semipalatinsk Test Site [STS] in Eastern Kazakhstan. These experiments were carried out primarily as part of the closing of unused tunnels and shafts at the STS under the Co-operative Threat Reduction Program as regulated in the Nunn-Lugar Bill. These explosions provide an...
Topics: DTIC Archive, DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY FORT BELVOIR VA, *MONITORING, *UNDERGROUND...
Topics: DTIC Archive, LIVINGSTON, C W, MINING RESEARCH CORP DENVER CO, *EXPLOSIVES, *UNDERGROUND...
The pre-shot predictions and evaluations of ground motion, stemming and containment are presented and compared with the available observed data. The analysis of seismic data included corrections for frequency response of the instruments, derivation of non- recorded motions by differentiation and integration, and filtering of the seismic signals to derive amplitude-frequency relationships. Seismic data were available from stations located between 2 to 32 kilometers from surface zero. Observed...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Davis, Lawrence L, ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CORP ALEXANDRIAVA, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSION...
Details of the design of a long-period triaxial borehole seismometer were completed. Preparations were started for field use of the seismometer.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Shappee, Richard M, GEOTECH GARLAND TX, *SEISMOMETERS, DETECTION, EARTHQUAKES,...
Topics: DTIC Archive, FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY DIV WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, *SEISMIC...
The science of the containment of U.S. underground teats is documented through a series of interviews of leading containment scientists and engineers.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Carothers, James, LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LAB CA, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSION TESTING,...
This paper presents an evaluation of the accuracy and reliability of the BLASTX3.5 computer model for making predictions of the internal airblast effects aned external airblast hazard distances produced by accidental explosions in underground magazines. Comparisons are made between BLASTX3.5 calculations and test data from a selected set of large-scale non-responding magazine experiments.
Topics: DTIC Archive, ARMY ENGINEER WATERWAYS EXPERIMENT STATION VICKSBURG MS, *MAGAZINES(ORDNANCE),...
Using spatial coherency estimates of Rayleigh and Love waves recorded at ALPA, LASA and NORSAR, it is demonstrated that for a particular frequency the wave propagation cannot be described by a unique wavevector. Instead, the propagation is better described by a distribution in the wavenumber domain or, in physical terms, a distribution in azimuth and phase velocity. In general the coherency in the mean direction of propagation, which is a function of the velocity distribution, stays high...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Mack, H, TELEDYNE GEOTECH ALEXANDRIA VA, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, DETECTION, NUCLEAR...
Air-pressure signals from the underground Gnome detonation were investigated with on-site pressure gages and off-site microbarographs. Unusual weather and an insufficient number of measurement stations resulted in no off- site recordings. Useful data were obtained on site to further aid in source descriptions from underground blasts.
Topics: DTIC Archive, REED, J W, SANDIA NATIONAL LABS ALBUQUERQUE NM, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, *UNDERGROUND...
The nine-lens camera built as a prototype instrument for Project VELA has been redesigned and rebuilt, and is operating well. Redesigned or replaced parts in the new camera include: a stainless-steel shutter curtain; lenses individually focused for best resolution in each band; adjustable fiducial markers which allow optical registration in composite printing; new optical projection counters; a new electrical remote-control box and system console. Other improvements have been made to increase...
Topics: DTIC Archive, ITEK CORP PALO ALTO CA VIDYA DIV, *AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS,...
The region around the detonation is divided into three zones: (1) a strong-shock (hydrodynamic) zone, (2) a transitional, nonlinear zone, and (3) the elastic region. Experimental equation-of state data are used in calculating the history of the propagating stress wave, because there is as yet no complete theory of the response of solids to rapidly applied stresses which exceed their yield and crushing strength. Results indicate that the proper equations of motion are known, as are analytic and...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Kisslinger, Carl, MICHIGAN UNIV ANN ARBOR INST OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,...
The Plowshare program of the Atomic Energy Commission sets forth to put nuclear explosives to peaceful, economic use. The present report evaluates the major fields of application proposed up to now for such explosives. They are the stimulation of gas and oil reservoirs, production of shale oil, applications to mining, cratering, and a list of various other projects, among them storage of natural gas, waste disposal and water resource management.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Morgenstern, Oskar, MATHEMATICA INC PRINCETON NJ, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, ECONOMICS,...
To compensate for sparse coverage of the AI events by the SRO/ASRO and SDCS networks, the depth determination program has been modified to process seismic array data. This will substantially increase the proportion of AI events that can be processed. A total of 28 events were examined during this quarter; 14 of these could not be processed due to inadequate data. Of the remaining 14 events, depth estimates were obtained on 6 of them, 4 were found to be outside the 10-80 km depth range examined,...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Page, Edward, ENSCO INC SPRINGFIELD VA, *SEISMIC DETECTION, ALGORITHMS, DEPTH,...
A catastrophic accident took place, a year and half after the end of the Second World War (December 19 - 20, 1947), in one of the most modem underground ammunition storage magazines in Switzerland. The accident resulted in three major explosions in which nine persons from the nearby village perished. Initial estimates indicated that almost 7000 tons of ammunition was stored at the site. Almost 3000 tons was detonated, deflagrated, or burned causing structural damage. The remaining ammunition...
Topics: DTIC Archive, BAKHTAR ASSOCIATES NEWPORT BEACH CA, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS, *SWITZERLAND,...
Surface wave magnitude [M(sub s)] estimation for small events recorded at near-regional distances will often require a magnitude scale designed for Rayleigh waves with periods between 5 and 25 seconds. We have completed several studies aimed at examining the usefulness of existing and new formulas at estimating surface wave magnitudes at periods not restricted to approximately 20 seconds. In Chapter 1, we show that 7-second surface waves can be used to estimate magnitudes for Nevada Test Site...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Bonner, Jessie L, WESTON GEOPHYSICAL LEXINGTON MA, *SEISMIC DISCRIMINATION,...
The detonation of a contained or partially contained nuclear explosion is accompanied by the deposition of a large fraction of the energy in the form of high temperature, high pressure regions. The nature of the surrounding medium, the time -temperature history, and the time of cavity collapse or venting determine the extent to which undesirable nuclides such as Sr 90 and Cs 137 will appear outside a fused insoluble matrix and be available to ground water or to the atmosphere. The movement of...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Batzel, Roger E, CALIFORNIA UNIV LIVERMORE RADIATION LAB, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS,...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Warner, S E, CALIFORNIA UNIV LIVERMORE RADIATION LAB, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS,...
Contents: DASA's (Defense Atomic Support Agency) responsi bility and organization for testing, by P. G. Galentine The problem of on-site explosion inspection, by Robert Scheid: The criteria are reviewed for inspection of events and their possible loca tions; the characteristics of clandestine tests that are of interest; inspection procedures; and the research planned on the various techniques.
Topics: DTIC Archive, Galentine, P G, ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY ARLINGTON VA, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSION...
Project VT/7702 includes the operation, evaluation, improvement, and expansion of the Tonto Forest Seismological Observatory (TFSO) located near Payson, Arizona. It also includes special research and test functions carried out at TFSO and research and development tasks performed by the Garland, Texas staff, using TFSO data.
Topics: DTIC Archive, GEOTECH GARLAND TX, *SEISMOLOGICAL STATIONS, ARIZONA, CALIBRATION, DETECTION,...
The objective of the research was to determine a method for evaluating the size of a seismic source using amplitudes and/or energy content of the seismic waves generated by the source. Each distance range (local, near- regional, regional, and teleseismic) was considered separately to divide the major problem into several smaller ones. Only the initial seismic disturbance was considered for this work. Data recorded from Gnome, Hardhat, Haymaker, and Shoal nuclear explosions were chosen to...
Topics: DTIC Archive, OREGON STATE UNIV CORVALLIS, *SEISMIC WAVES, GEOPHYSICS, NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, POSITION...
Our principal objective in this research has been to identify and test regional discrimination measures which can help facilitate the identification of the numerous rockbursts which are likely to be encountered in CTBT monitoring. We have reviewed characteristics of rockburst mechanisms and their seismic signals for a variety of different mining, tectonic, and propagation environments; and we have discovered several problem areas for rockburst discrimination. Our recent investigations have been...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Bennett, Theron J., MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES INC SAN DIEGO CA, *UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS,...
This document will deal with some aspects of the phenomenology of underground nuclear explosions. It is divided into four general sections. First, we shall examine the rather extensive history of routine underground explosions and note that, from a pragmatic point of view, a nuclear explosion can be contained by putting it underground. Those few cases where some radioactivity was released will be examined to see if they can be categorized or if there were extenuating circumstances. Second, we...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Germain, Lawrence S, CALIFORNIA UNIV LIVERMORE RADIATION LAB, *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS,...
Equipment was designed and constructed to perform a thermal noise experiment. The objective of the experiment was to experimentally investigate the spectral distribution of noise energy in seismometers and galvanometers and their interconnections. The equipment used in the experiment is described. A long-period triaxial borehole seismometer was designed. The design has preserved ideal La Coste geometry in that changes in period are accomplished through a controlled positive restoring force...
Topics: DTIC Archive, Shappee, Richard M, GEOTECH GARLAND TX, *SEISMOMETERS, DETECTION, GALVANOMETERS,...
