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DOE OSTI · 1034507

Parametric Explosion Spectral Model

Ford, Sean R.·Walter, William R.
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Abstract

Small underground nuclear explosions need to be confidently detected, identified, and characterized in regions of the world where they have never before occurred. We develop a parametric model of the nuclear explosion seismic source spectrum derived from regional phases 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 level, corner-frequency, and spectral slope at high-frequencies. Explosion spectra can be fit with similar spectral models whose parameters are then correlated with near-source geology and containment conditions. We observe a correlation of high gas-porosity (low-strength) with increased spectral slope. The relationship between the parametric equations and the geologic and containment conditions will assist in our physical understanding of the nuclear explosion source.

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45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE58 GEOSCIENCESATTENUATIONCONTAINMENTDETECTIONEARTHQUAKESGEOLOGYNUCLEAR EXPLOSIONSSEISMIC SOURCESSIMULATIONSPECTRAUNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS

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Ford, Sean R., Walter, William R.. 2012-01-20. Parametric Explosion Spectral Model. https://doi.org/10.2172/1034507

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