Nuclear explosions can cause earthquakes and even a sequence of aftershocks, but the seismic activity generated by these explosions is much smaller than the explosion itself. The relative amplitude of the waves can also be an indicator of an explosion and not of a natural earthquake. In other words, it is impossible to fake the seismic signature of an underground explosion, and people will be able to tell if a bomb has been tested and approximately how powerful it is. The reason why underground detonations of nuclear weapons can be detected as earthquakes is due to the fact that in both cases, whether rocks break in an earthquake or during an explosion, very strong forces act quickly inside the Earth. This leads to intense shaking of the rocks around the hypocenter, which in turn generates elastic waves that can travel thousands of miles and be detected by seismometers. Seismometers have been used for a long time to verify nuclear test treaties, and scientists have become increasingly confident that they can detect even small evidence and differentiate it from natural earthquakes.
More Articles
What is Gamma Radiation?
Van Reckling0 minutes 43, seconds readGamma radiation is a type of nuclear decay emission that consists solely of energy. Learn more about gamma radiation and its applications.
How Long Does a Nuclear Stress Test Stay in Your System?
Van Reckling0 minutes 50, seconds readA nuclear stress test is a medical procedure that uses a radioactive tracer to measure the blood flow to your heart. Learn how long it stays in your system and the risks associated with it.
Are Nuclear Test Sites Still Radioactive?
Van Reckling1 minute 24, seconds readAt present, very little radioactivity can be detected from weapons tests conducted in the 1950s and 1960s in the environment. Learn more about how radiation levels have changed since then and what is currently known about nuclear test sites.
Does Nuclear Testing Still Occur? An Expert's Perspective
Van Reckling2 minutes 15, seconds readSince 1945, at least eight nations have detonated 2,056 nuclear test explosions at dozens of test sites around the world. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion and established an inter
Leave Message