Listening for nuclear tests: What can seismology tell us?

Speaker: Dr David Green CPhys FInstP, AWE Blacknest

How are seismic waves generated by underground nuclear tests? How do these waves propagate through Earth, and how do we detect this wave motion at thousands of kilometres from an explosion site? Can we distinguish between explosions and other sources of seismic signals? 

Here, we will look back at the development of forensic seismology, and discuss the techniques that have helped improve confidence in our ability to identify and locate underground explosions globally. We will discover how such techniques have also been used to understand other sources of seismic waves including submarine disasters, underwater gas pipeline explosions, and accidental industrial detonations. 

About the Speaker

David Green is a geophysicist, specialising in the analysis of seismic and infrasonic waveforms. Following his PhD, David has continued to focus on explosively generated seismic and acoustic waves but now in the field of nuclear test ban treaty monitoring. He has worked as a geophysicist at AWE Blacknest, home of the UK’s Forensic Seismology team, for the past 19 years.

Please register for this talk as it helps with the rooming and refreshment arrangements and allows us to contact you should there be any changes to the talk details.

Tea and coffee will be available but please arrive early. Talks start at 7.30 pm, followed by Q&A and finishing by 9 pm.

This talk is co-sponsored by the University of Worcester, School of Science and the Environment.