Peaceful nuclear explosion

Abstract: India's relationship with the nuclear non-proliferation regime deteriorated sharply after its 1974 underground nuclear test which, according to India, was a peaceful nuclear explosion, but which was not accepted as such by the regime. That it did not follow up with immediate weaponisation challenged the core logic of the non-proliferation regime which operates on a Murphy's Law of ‘nuclear fatalism’, i.e. if a country has the know-how to produce nuclear weapons, it will certainly produce them. This article argues that at least until the beginning of its integrated guided missile development programme in 1983, India's nuclear inaction posed a normative challenge to this logic.

Abstract: The yields of nuclear explosions can be estimated using hydrodynamic methods. The approach that has been proposed by the United States for nuclear test ban monitoring makes use of the fact that the initial speed of the expanding shock wave produced by an underground explosion increases with the yield. Several techniques have been developed in the United States to measure the speed of the shock wave, of which the so‐called CORRTEX technique is the most recent and best. A variety of algorithms have been used to derive yield estimates from shock wave radius vs. time measurements. Although more intrusive than seismic methods, current hydrodynamic methods could be used to monitor the Threshold Test Ban and Peaceful Nuclear Explosion treaties, provided that appropriate changes in these treaties are negotiated and that adequate coorperative arrangements are made to assure accuracy. Significant engineering, operational, and analysis problems need to be solved before these methods could be used to monitor with confidence a low‐threshold test ban. The methods are not relevant to a comprehensive test ban.

Abstract: The article presents data on the radiation situation on the territories of the protected zones of peaceful nuclear explosions «Globus-2», «Agat» and «Rubin-1» based on the results of field studies in 2020. Peaceful nuclear explosions were conducted in the Arkhangelsk region for seismic exploration. The results of the radiation-hygienic state of protected zones and radiation safety in the territories adjacent to peaceful nuclear explosions are analyzed by the main indicators: the values of the ambient dose equivalent of gamma radiation, the identification of gamma-emitting radionuclides in situ by field gamma spectrometry, the specific activity of technogenic radionuclides in the soil and tritium in the water of reservoirs and drinking water sources. An assessment of the sanitary condition of the studied territories of protected zones of peaceful nuclear explosions is given. It was found that the levels of the ambient dose equivalent rate of the gamma radiation at all sites are at the level of fluctuations in the natural regional radiation background in the range of 0.08-0.20 microSv/h. On the territory of the protected zone of the peaceful nuclear explosion «Globus-2» were repeatedly identified areas of minor local soil contamination with 137 Cs (the previous study was performed in 2011). Increased values of the ambient equivalent dose rate of gamma radiation (0.20 -0.22 μSv/h) and specific activity of 137 Cs in two soil samples (154 and 160 Bq/kg, respectively) were found in these areas. The tritium content in the water of water supply sources does not exceed 5 Bq/kg. These values are typical for global levels of this radionuclide in water bodies. Remains of technological equipment were found on the territories of the protected zones of the peaceful nuclear explosions (especially in the protected zone of the explosion «Agat»), as well as rusty metal pipes and barrels, the remains of wooden structures, etc. Information signs installed on dilapidated concrete foundations at the mouths of combat wells of all surveyed peaceful nuclear explosions have subtle inscriptions. The presence of forest thickets in the places where the investigated peaceful nuclear explosions are conducted and their ignition during forest fires is a potential threat to the release of technogenic radionuclides during depressurization of the mouths of combat wells.

Abstract: The NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) was the occasion at which the digitized seismic Peaceful Nuclear Explosion (PNE) data were presented to the scientific community and discussed by experts from around the world for the implications on lithospheric models and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). After a brief reminder of the history of deep seismic sounding (DSS) of the lithospheric mantle, we will emphasize the need to conserve the existing DSS data, not only of PNE type but also those generated by chemical explosions in other parts of the world during the last decades. Consequently, some examples will be given of likely future processing and interpretation methods.