US conducts underground non-nuclear experiment to improve detection of nuclear explosions

Yesterday 21:30

By: Azzat Manal

US conducts underground non-nuclear experiment to improve detection of nuclear explosions

The United States has carried out an underground experiment using high-powered chemical explosives at the Nevada National Security Site as part of efforts to strengthen its ability to detect and identify low-yield nuclear explosions.

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) said the experiment, conducted on September 30, was non-nuclear and involved chemical high explosives and radiotracers. Data collected during the operation will be used to improve scientific models and detection algorithms designed to identify the signatures of underground nuclear explosions.

Researchers deployed a broad range of monitoring equipment, including accelerometers and seismometers, infrasound and electromagnetic sensors, chemical and radiotracer sampling systems, as well as meteorological instruments. The combination of these measurements is intended to help scientists better distinguish the physical and chemical signals generated by underground explosions.

A particular focus of the experiment was the detection of so-called “decoupled” explosions. In such a scenario, an underground explosive device is detonated inside a large cavity, which can significantly reduce the seismic signals transmitted through the surrounding rock. This can make an explosion more difficult for monitoring systems to detect and characterize.

The Nevada National Security Site has long been used for research into nuclear explosion monitoring. Earlier experiments at the facility have also relied on conventional explosives rather than nuclear devices to reproduce some of the physical signals associated with underground nuclear detonations.

The latest test comes amid renewed discussion in Washington about nuclear testing. President Donald Trump has said the United States should conduct nuclear weapons tests and has suggested that Russia, China and North Korea are carrying out similar activities. However, the NNSA experiment itself did not involve a nuclear explosion.

The United States ended its nuclear explosive testing program in 1992. Since then, the Nevada site has increasingly been used for non-nuclear experiments, stockpile stewardship, nuclear security research and efforts to improve the monitoring of nuclear activities worldwide.