Explosion Source Characterization of Underground Nuclear Tests Using Seismic Data

The United States is no longer actively testing nuclear devices; however there are other active weapons programs globally that the United States routinely monitors. Seismic data provide near-real time information about an explosion, however models that can predict the processes, or source characteristics, of an explosion are needed in order for the seismic data to be interpreted. The focus of this project is to produce a model of the explosion source characteristics that accurately reflect the processes taking place during an explosion, including the actual detonation (a near isotropic pressure wave) and any associated deformation that may occur. The explosion source model will be made using seismic data collected during the United States testing program by Lawerence Livermore and the Sandia National Laboratories.

Contact: Dr. Susan Bilek, sbilek@nmt.edu