Tags: GPS, Nuclear Test
Publication: ScienceMag.org
Publication Date: 12/04/2012

The "Divider" test rack is hoisted into position for lowering down hole at the Nevada Test Site in September of 1992. Divider was the last full scale underground nuclear test conduced by the United States. Image credit: Los Alamos National Laboratory

A team of researchers from Ohio State University has suggested a new way to detect nuclear tests. Besides the ground methods used by the International Monitoring System, researchers have found that satellite networks could be a powerful tool to detect underground nuclear explosions.

Seismic and hydroacoustic networks that scan the Earth and oceans for waves consistent with nuclear explosions, and radionuclide networks to detect the presence of radioactive particles produced by nuclear explosions are the most effective methods used so far. Satellites might soon be part of that list because of their capacity to detect the electromagnetic pulse that nuclear explosions produce, even if underground.

However, earthquakes and major storms can produce a similar effect, but the team was able to create an algorithm to identify the signal and distinguish between sources. Using GPS detection already available, it is almost possible to detect these explosions. According to the researchers, some details need to be fine-tuned but the core is there.

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