Article
Environmental Sciences
C. Johnson, B. Milbrath, J. Lowrey, T. Alexander, J. Fast, B. Fritz, R. Kirkham, E. Mace, M. Mayer, J. McIntyre, K. Olsen
Summary: Measurement of radioactive gas seepage from an underground nuclear explosion is a primary method to confirm the nature of the event. The presence of Argon-39 can serve as a long-term signature of an underground nuclear event, reliably detectable at the surface or in the shallow subsurface.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan L. Burnett, Timothy L. Stewart, Martin E. Keillor, James H. Ely
Summary: A novel approach utilizing the displacement of radon isotopes to detect underground nuclear explosions is proposed, but faced challenges in validation due to natural fluctuations in soil gas activity and lower yield of chemical explosions. Further study is recommended to confirm the hypothesis.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Brian Lee, Szu-Yung Wang, Tzu-Chin Lin, Hung-Hao Chang
Summary: This study investigates the long-term negative impact of underground pipeline explosions on housing prices, with a focus on a case study in Taiwan's second-largest urban city. The results show that the explosion led to a 2.9% decrease in housing prices over a nine-month period, with direct decreases during both the cleanup and recovery periods. The study suggests that migration across districts played a role in influencing equilibrium housing prices following the explosion.
Article
Engineering, Geological
Yuguo Ji, Mingyang Wang, Jie Li, Shuxin Deng, Zhihao Li, Tianhan Xu, Fei Gao
Summary: This study simulates seismic waves induced by underground explosions through the development of experimental apparatus and the presentation of a laboratory method. The research findings are of great significance for the study of geological hazards in deep buried tunnels and other underground engineering projects.
JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yunwei Sun, Charles Carrigan, William Cassata, Yue Hao, Souheil Ezzedine, Tarabay Antoun
Summary: Isotopic ratios of radioactive xenons can be used to detect underground nuclear explosions and civilian nuclear reactors. Differences in half-lives of the decay chains result in time-dependent concentrations of xenon isotopes. Modern detection capabilities and contrasting timescales make xenon isotopes a desirable surrogate for UNE detection.
TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
G. Yang, L. F. Zhao, X. B. Xie, L. Zhang, Z. X. Yao
Summary: In this study, a high-precision relative location method was explored to simultaneously determine the relative epicenter and source elevation by using differential traveltimes from both downward-takeoff Pn waves and horizontal-takeoff Pg waves. By jointly applying both types of waveform data, the proposed method significantly enhances the constraint on the source depth variation, and successfully applied to regional seismic data from China, South Korea, and Japan.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Xin Bao, Shutao Li, Jingbo Liu, Fei Wang, Yeqing Chen, Longming Chen, Qing Zhu
Summary: This study focuses on the dynamic responses and damage mechanisms of a deep-buried underground structure subjected to explosions. Model tests were conducted and analyzed, revealing that the underground structure experienced minimal damage compared to the surrounding rock model. However, the spectral acceleration on the floor of the prototype structure posed a safety threat to human usage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMPACT ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Hyunwoo Kim, Burak Can Cerik, Joonmo Choung
Summary: This study quantitatively examined the structural damage caused by a near-field underwater explosion using a more reasonable fracture model. The HC-LN fracture model accurately predicted the extent of damage, while the constant strain fracture model resulted in unrealistic fractures.
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
F. A. Khan
Summary: The study focuses on the relationship between incident neutron energy and the neutron multiplication rate constant alpha for U-235 and Pu-239 based nuclear explosions. It was found that at high neutron energy, alpha values for both U-235 and Pu-239 are similar. Additionally, the photon gas model appears to be effective in reproducing the nuclear explosion yield in the early stages.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
R. Boone Gilbreath, John D. Auxier, Jerrad P. Auxier, Justin M. Alexander
Summary: A method for formulating and producing a new variety of surrogate nuclear explosive melt debris, NUGETS, is presented based on detonation of an improvised nuclear device in an underground environment similar to the Nevada National Security Site. Extensive statistical analyses of precursory geochemical and geophysical characteristics are combined with an augmented surrogate debris cooling technique. The comparison of NUGETS formulation with other NEMD surrogates is reported, suggesting its application to future studies in urban, underground, post-detonation technical nuclear forensic analysis.
JOURNAL OF RADIOANALYTICAL AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Tim C. Johnson, H. A. Knox, C. Strickland, C. Johnson, J. Lowrey, D. P. Sprinkle, D. Linneman, V. Vermeul, E. Robey, K. Chojnicki, M. Ingraham, J. Feldman, H. Miley
Summary: In this study, the use of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) for imaging rock damage and gas flow patterns resulting from underground nuclear explosions (UNEs) was demonstrated. The results showed that the damage zone was non-symmetric and focused within the pre-existing fracture zone. This study highlights the utility of ERT imaging in understanding rock damage and gas flow patterns under experimental conditions.
PURE AND APPLIED GEOPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Paul W. Eslinger, Harry S. Miley, Christine M. Johnson, Ramesh S. Sarathi, Brian T. Schrom
Summary: Radionuclide monitoring is important for measuring radioactive aerosol and noble gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The International Monitoring System (IMS) has been conducting such measurements for years, providing valuable information on atmospheric radioactivity and the sensitivity of the network. The impacts of civilian emissions differ regionally and globally, and the detection probabilities of various radionuclides are quite good.
PURE AND APPLIED GEOPHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Acoustics
Dezhi Ran, Jianwei Cheng, Rui Zhang, Yu Wang, Yuhang Wu
Summary: As coal mining depth increases, gas explosion accidents with high emission rates are common, causing significant casualties and property damages. Research has focused on the damages caused by gas explosion shock waves in underground mines, providing a basis for assessing the effects of explosions. The impact of shock waves can not only destroy mining facilities but also lead to secondary hazards, requiring further study and improvement strategies.
SHOCK AND VIBRATION
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
V. V. Adushkin, I. O. Kitov, I. A. Sanina
Summary: Several aftershocks of previous DPRK underground explosions, with unique characteristics, were discovered 3.5 years after the last explosion in April 2021. The duration, intensity, and alternating nature of the aftershock sequences suggested energy release mechanisms associated with the damaged zones from different explosions at varying depths. The largest aftershock indicated the collapse of the explosion cavity roof and the formation of a chimney that did not reach the surface.
DOKLADY EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Peng Guo-Liang, Zhang Jun-Jie
Summary: A Hydro-Magneto-PIC hybrid model is proposed to describe the motion of fission debris in high altitude nuclear explosions, considering different physical processes and particle properties. The model combines three models to comprehensively describe debris expansion and can stably calculate regions over a few thousand kilometers in altitude. The model is able to incorporate both kinetic and fluid properties, demonstrating consistency with observations and providing a tool for broader HANE simulation and other plasma systems.
ACTA PHYSICA SINICA
(2021)