Mine Blast at Silver Bell Mine, Arizona.
Can we use explosives to cause small earthquakes in order to prevent having large ones?
No. Even huge amounts of explosive almost never cause even small earthquakes, and it would take hundreds and thousands of small earthquakes to equal a large one, even if it could be done. In addition, we wouldn't have any control over the size of the earthquake being created if it worked, since small and large earthquakes all start out in exactly the same way. It's just not physically possible.
Related Content
Can nuclear explosions cause earthquakes?
A nuclear explosion can cause an earthquake and even an aftershock sequence. However, earthquakes induced by explosions have been much smaller than the explosion, and the aftershock sequence produces fewer and smaller aftershocks than a similar size earthquake. Not all explosions have caused earthquakes. The range of a possible earthquake triggered by an explosion is limited to a few tens of...
How can you tell the difference between an explosion and an earthquake on a seismogram?
Explosions and earthquakes both release a large amount of energy very quickly, and both can be recorded by seismic instruments. However, because the forces involved in each are very different, the waveforms that each creates look different. Nuclear tests are very near the surface of the earth; all of the energy is released from a small volume surrounding the device. Earthquakes are typically...
What is the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and what is the role of seismology in monitoring it?
On September 10, 1996, the United Nations General Assembly voted 158-3 to approve a treaty prohibiting all nuclear tests. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty has been signed by 130 nations - including the United States. President Clinton signed the agreement on September 24, 1996. Seismology is one of several fields which plays a role in monitoring the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Underground...
Mine Blast at Silver Bell Mine, Arizona.
Full view of the ground with the San Andreas fault running through the middle of the image. A 30 foot steam offset from the 1857 earthquake can be seen near the right edge of the image.
Full view of the ground with the San Andreas fault running through the middle of the image. A 30 foot steam offset from the 1857 earthquake can be seen near the right edge of the image.
Was the Mw 7.5 1952 Kern County, California, earthquake induced (or triggered)?
Estimating earthquake magnitudes from reported intensities in the central and eastern United States
Taking the Earth's pulse
Statistical relations among earthquake magnitude, surface rupture length, and surface fault displacement
Nuclear explosions and distant earthquakes: A search for correlations
Use of seismic intensity data to predict the effects of earthquakes and underground nuclear explosions in various geologic settings
Related Content
- FAQ
Can nuclear explosions cause earthquakes?
A nuclear explosion can cause an earthquake and even an aftershock sequence. However, earthquakes induced by explosions have been much smaller than the explosion, and the aftershock sequence produces fewer and smaller aftershocks than a similar size earthquake. Not all explosions have caused earthquakes. The range of a possible earthquake triggered by an explosion is limited to a few tens of...
How can you tell the difference between an explosion and an earthquake on a seismogram?
Explosions and earthquakes both release a large amount of energy very quickly, and both can be recorded by seismic instruments. However, because the forces involved in each are very different, the waveforms that each creates look different. Nuclear tests are very near the surface of the earth; all of the energy is released from a small volume surrounding the device. Earthquakes are typically...
What is the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and what is the role of seismology in monitoring it?
On September 10, 1996, the United Nations General Assembly voted 158-3 to approve a treaty prohibiting all nuclear tests. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty has been signed by 130 nations - including the United States. President Clinton signed the agreement on September 24, 1996. Seismology is one of several fields which plays a role in monitoring the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Underground...
- Multimedia
Mine Blast at Silver Bell Mine, Arizona
Mine Blast at Silver Bell Mine, Arizona.
Mine Blast at Silver Bell Mine, Arizona.
Full View of the San Andreas FaultFull view of the ground with the San Andreas fault running through the middle of the image. A 30 foot steam offset from the 1857 earthquake can be seen near the right edge of the image.
Full view of the ground with the San Andreas fault running through the middle of the image. A 30 foot steam offset from the 1857 earthquake can be seen near the right edge of the image.
- Publications
Was the Mw 7.5 1952 Kern County, California, earthquake induced (or triggered)?
Several recent studies have presented evidence that significant induced earthquakes occurred in a number of oil-producing regions during the early and mid-twentieth century related to either production or wastewater injection. We consider whether the 21 July 1952 Mw 7.5 Kern County earthquake might have been induced by production in the Wheeler Ridge oil field. The mainshock, which was not precedeAuthorsSusan E. Hough, Victor C. Tsai, Robert Walker, Fred AminzadehEstimating earthquake magnitudes from reported intensities in the central and eastern United States
A new macroseismic intensity prediction equation is derived for the central and eastern United States and is used to estimate the magnitudes of the 1811–1812 New Madrid, Missouri, and 1886 Charleston, South Carolina, earthquakes. This work improves upon previous derivations of intensity prediction equations by including additional intensity data, correcting magnitudes in the intensity datasets toAuthorsOliver S. Boyd, Chris H. CramerTaking the Earth's pulse
During the past 35 years, scientists have developed a vast network of seismometers that record earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and nuclear explosions throughout the world. Seismographic data support disaster response, scientific research, and global security. With this network, the United States maintains world leadership in monitoring the greatest natural and technological events that threaten oAuthorsRobert L. Woodward, Harly M. Benz, William M. BrownStatistical relations among earthquake magnitude, surface rupture length, and surface fault displacement
In order to refine correlations of surface-wave magnitude, fault rupture length at the ground surface, and fault displacement at the surface by including the uncertainties in these variables, the existing data were critically reviewed and a new data base was compiled. Earthquake magnitudes were redetermined as necessary to make them as consistent as possible with the Gutenberg methods and results,AuthorsM. G. Bonilla, R. K. Mark, J. J. LienkaemperNuclear explosions and distant earthquakes: A search for correlations
An apparent correlation between nuclear explosions and earthquakes has been reported for the events between September 1961 and September 1966. When data from the events between September 1966 and December 1968 are examined, this correlation disappears. No relationship between the size of the nuclear explosions and the number of distant earthquakes is apparent in the data.AuthorsJ. H. Healy, P.A. MarshallUse of seismic intensity data to predict the effects of earthquakes and underground nuclear explosions in various geologic settings
No abstract available.AuthorsPatrick James Barosh - News