Evaluation of the Detection Ability of New Infrasound Networks Installed by Korea Meteorological Administration

Abstract

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) installed infrasound networks in Cheorwon and Yanggu. These networks have been operated for detecting infrasound generated from artificial explosions, such as those due to North Korea's nuclear tests, and from natural phenomena such as the volcanic eruption of Mt. Baekdu. Currently, the KMA is simultaneously performing infrasound analysis and seismic wave analysis to discriminate between natural and artificial earthquakes. To efficiently perform the discrimination and analysis of artificial earthquakes, three infrasound networks were expanded in the West Sea and northern Gyeonggi-do Gyodong-do, Paju, and Yeoncheon. In this study, 22 cases of artificial earthquake events that occurred in North Korea in January 2020 were analyzed to test the analysis capabilities of the three newly installed infrasound networks. The results of the analysis confirmed that the newly installed infrasound networks exhibited a higher infrasound detection rate than the existing Cheorwon and Yanggu infrasound networks. The Cheorwon and Yanggu observation networks are being planned for relocation and installation due to aging and poor site conditions. The use of the new infrasound network is expected to improve the detection rate and analysis accuracy with respect to artificial earthquakes. Furthermore, it is expected to enhance the detection capability of infrasound generated from various physical phenomena such as nuclear tests performed by North Korea and volcanic eruption of Mt. Baekdu.