Seismic Monitoring of a Multilateral Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of seismic monitoring in the verification of a multilateral nuclear test ban treaty. The current capabilites of the seismic method of detecting and identifying nuclear explosions are reviewed. The earth’s natural seismic activity is described, as it is in this environment that a global monitoring system must operate. The current state of global seismic monitoring is decribed. Finally, a practical proposal is presented for an international global seismic monitoring system that would provide, beyond the role of monitoring treaty compliance, considerable social and scientific benefit.