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High-precision location and yield of North Korea's 2013 nuclear test

  • University of Science and Technology of China

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using North Korea's 2009 nuclear test as reference and satellite imagery, we show that the location and yield of North Korea's 2013 nuclear test can be quickly and accurately determined based on seismic data. North Korea's 2013 nuclear test site is pinpointed by deriving relative location of North Korea's 2009 and 2013 nuclear tests and using the previously determined location of the 2009 nuclear test, while its yield is estimated based on the relative amplitude ratios of the Lg waves recorded for both events, the previously determined Lg-magnitude of 2009 nuclear test and burial depth inferred from satellite imagery. North Korea's 2013 test site is determined to be located at (41°17'26.88 N, 129°4'34.68 E), about 345 m south and 453 m west of its 2009 nuclear test site, with a geographic precision of 94 m. Its yield is estimated to be 12.2 - 3.8 kt. Key Points North Korea's 2013 test site is determined with a geographic precision of 94 m Its yield is estimated to be 12.2 {plus minus} 3.8 kt Suggests a way to quickly and accurately determine location and yield

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2941-2946
Number of pages6
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume40
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 28 2013

Keywords

  • nuclear test
  • seismology
  • yield

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