Comparison of seismic waves generated by different types of source

Abstract A comparison of the seismic waves generated by a nuclear explosion and an earthquake is discussed. The epicenter of the earthquake was located within the Nevada Test Site. Both events were recorded at the same station with the same type of equipment. The earthquake waves contained slightly lower frequency than the waves generated by the nuclear shot. The early P phases of the shot had larger amplitudes while the phases after Pg for the earthquake were larger. Seismic waves from collapses were generally found to be composed of lower frequencies than the waves from the original shot. Aftershocks of the Hebgen Lake earthquake were found to generate seismic waves whose frequency content was related to the magnitude of the aftershock. Spectral differences in quarry shot recordings that correlate with source duration times are also discussed.