Summary
Short-period vertical-componentP-wave spectra have been determined for twelve Nevada underground nuclear explosions recorded by the Swedish seismic station network. Selected events cover the magnitude range fromm b =5.9 tom b =7.0 and the shot-depth range from 460 m to 1400 m. All explosion spectra show pronounced minima near 1 sec period. Within individual test areas the period at which the minimum occurs increases systematically with increasing shot-depth. This dependence makes it possible to interpret the observed minima in terms of interference betweenP- andpP-waves. One atmospheric explosion from Novaya Zemlya is analyzed to verify the inferred minima intrpretation.
The minimum-period shows also a systematic linear dependence upon the magnitude. However, the physical explanation for this dependence is not evident and it may just be a consequence of a magnitude-depth relation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
M. Båth,Seismic records of explosions — especially nuclear explosions, Part III, FOA 4 rapport, A 4270–4721 (1962).
M. Båth,Seismology in Sweden 1963–1967, Uppsala (1967).
C. Blamey andP. G. Gibbs,The epicentres and origin times of some large explosions, Geophys. J. R. Astr. Soc.,16 (1968), 1.
G. G. R. Buchbinder,Amplitude spectra of PcP and P phases, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am.58 (1968), 1797.
R. C. Bucknam,Geologic effects of the Benham underground nuclear explosion, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am.59 (1969), 2209.
T. J. Cohen,Source-depth determinations using spectral, pseudoautocorrelation and cepstral analysis, Geophys. J. R. Astr. Soc.20 (1970), 223.
H. Heintke,Die Klassifizierung natürlicher und künstlicher seismischer Ereignisse durch ihre teleseismischen Signale, Ber. d. Inst. f. Meteorologie u. Geophysik, Univ. Frankfurt/Main, Nr.17 (1969).
E. S. Husebye andB. Jansson,Application of array data processing techniques to the Swedish seismograph stations, Pure and Applied Geophys.63 (1966), 82.
K. Kogeus,A synthesis of short-period P-wave records from distant explosion sources, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am.58, (1968), 663.
O. Kulhánek andK. Klíma,The reliable frequency band for amplitude spectra corrections, Geophys. J. R. Astr. Soc.21 (1970), 235.
Lincoln Laboratory M.I.T.,Semiannual technical summary report (SATS) to the Advanced Research Projects Agency on seismic discrimination, Sec. I-A, ESD-TR-69-412, 31 Dec. 1969.
F. A. McKeown andD. D. Dickey,Fault displacements and motion related to nuclear explosions, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am.59, (1969), 2253.
E. A. Robinson,Multichannel Time Series Analysis with Digital Computer Programs, Holden-Day Inc., San Francisco (1967).
M. A. Sellevoll,A publication summary on crustal and upper mantle structure in Fennoscandia, Iceland and the Norwegian Sea, VESIAC Rep. 4410-75-X (1964), Inst. of Sci. and Tech., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
L. D. Springer,P-wave coupling of underground nuclear explosions, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am.56 (1966), 861.
Teledyne Inc.,Long range seismic measurement Commodore, (LRSM): Shot report, Project Vela Uniform, 14 August 1967.
L. D. Trembley andJ. W. Berg, Jr.,Seismic source characteristics from explosion-generated P-waves, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am.58 (1968), 1833.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
On leave from the Geophysical Institute, Czechosl. Acad. Sci., Prague 4-Spořilov, Bočni II.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kulhánek, O. P-wave amplitude spectra of Nevada underground nuclear explosions. PAGEOPH 88, 121–136 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00877897
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00877897