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Crustal structure in Nevada and southern Idaho from nuclear explosions

January 1, 1962

The time of first arrival of seismic waves generated by 4 underground nuclear explosions at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and recorded along a line extending north into southern Idaho is expressed as T0 = 0. 00 + Δ/3.0 (assumed), T1 = 0 .40 + Δ/6.03, and T2 = 6.15 + Δ/7.84, where time is in seconds and the shot-detector distance (Δ) is in km. Assuming constant velocities and horizontal layers, crustal thickness in the vicinity of NTS was determined to be 28 km. Delays in the traveltime segment T2, which represents Pn, indicate that the crust may thicken to 32 km in northern Nevada. A third phase, expressed as T3 = 14.48 + Δ/7.84, was also recognized and has arrival times appropriate for SPS. Amplitudes of Pn were determined at 7 places from recordings of seismic waves from one underground nuclear explosion (ANTLER).

Publication Year 1962
Title Crustal structure in Nevada and southern Idaho from nuclear explosions
DOI 10.3133/70039184
Authors L. C. Pakiser, D. P. Hill
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Unnumbered Series
Series Title Crustal Studies Technical Letter
Series Number 4
Index ID 70039184
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Earthquake Science Center; Menlo Park Science Center
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