Waveform Tomography Improves Far-Regional Distance Simulations of Underground Nuclear Explosions and Earthquakes from the Former Nuclear Test Site, Western United States

Arthur Rodgers

Penerbit : The Seismic Record

Tahun : 2024

This study evaluated the effectiveness of seismic Earth models in simulating regional-distance waveforms generated by underground nuclear explosions and earthquakes near the former Nevada Test Site in the western United States. Using data from two far-regional stations about 1000 km away, researchers compared four models—two 1D and two fully 3D—across different period bands (15–50 s) to assess waveform phase, shape, and amplitude accuracy. The analysis found that a modern 3D model based on full waveform inversion (FWI) tomography, which incorporates radial anisotropy and crustal thickness variations, outperformed the others. These findings indicate that FWI-derived 3D models can enhance nuclear explosion monitoring by improving source characterization and distinguishing between explosions, earthquakes, and collapses.

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