Nuclear Explosions Research Articles

Direct numerical simulations of long-range infrasound propagation: Implications for source spectra estimation.

The evolution of observed dominant frequencies from a high-intensity infrasonic pulse with receiver range and stratospheric temperature is investigated using direct numerical simulations of the two-dimensional unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations. There is a high level of uncertainty in estimating source dominant frequencies based on received signals at sparse points on the ground. Nonlinear propagation effects in the ground-level thermospheric arrivals are found to significantly alter dominant frequency measurements compared to stratospheric arrivals with smaller amplitude sources. With a larger amplitude source, variations in observations are minimized as a result of nonlinear effects being ubiquitous across all atmospheric components of received signals but have a greater offset to the source dominant frequency. An approach to determine the source dominant frequency and minimize atmospheric variability is presented by calculating a source-to-receiver spectral transfer function averaged across the atmospheric states. This method reduces atmospheric variability in source frequency estimates within the pseudo-linear propagation regime and the average error to the known source frequency with a large amplitude source. The reduction of errors in source frequency estimates demonstrates the feasibility of using remote infrasound measurements as an indicator of source frequency and, in turn, the explosive yield of clandestine nuclear weapon test explosions.

Environmental Impact of Kakhovka Dam Breach and Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Explosion on Dnieper River Landscape

Environmental Impact of Kakhovka Dam Breach and Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Explosion on Dnieper River Landscape

Оценка биологического действия комбинированного облучения овец для определения «безопасных» уровней радиационного воздействия

After a ground-based nuclear explosion, a large amount of fused melted radioactive particles (MRP) is formed. Entering the body of pasture animals with food, they accumulate in the proventriculus and abomasum, irradiating them against the background of total radiation exposure in sublethal doses. Research on combined irradiation of sheep (MRP+1.6 Gy) was carried out under the guidance of Professor B.N. Annenkov in 1978 on 48 sheep irradiated at a dose of 1.6 Gy in combination with feeding sheep with ORF activity from 9.99 to 51.80 MBq/kg of live weight. One group of animals served as non-irradiated controls. In addition, the work used experimental data obtained on 10 sheep irradiated at a dose of 2 Gy. Experimental data were analyzed using mathematical statistics methods. Combined irradiation is accompanied by moderate leukopenia, increased blood viscosity and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Changes in the gastrointestinal tract are characterized by atony of the proventriculus, pain in the area of the xiphoid cartilage (mesh) and abomasum, hemorrhages and ulcers on the mucous membranes, as well as a decrease in the consumption of feed and water, which led to loss of live weight and death of animals. A study of the dynamics of death of irradiated sheep (probit analysis) showed that the minimum values of death (1 and 5%) can be caused by the consumption of MRP + 1.6 Gy with activity from 4.07 to 6.57 MBq/kg of live weight. Similar data were obtained when analyzing the values of ruminal motility (rumination) in irradiated sheep (3.6 and 5.4 MBq/kg live weight). Therefore, the “safe” level of ORS activity can reach 6.6 MBq/kg live weight of sheep +1.6 Gy of total irradiation.

Indirect effects of oil products on the environment

The article is focused on chemical and radioactive contamination of the environment during hydrocarbon production. The objective of the research is to present relatively unknown facts of indirect long-term environmental effects of hydrocarbon production. Traces of radioactive contamination of soils, ground- and surface water were studied, and also in drinking water in the Republic of Bashkortostan. The authors’ own field and laboratory studies were used. They were performed as part of the preparation of geochemical base map (GHO-1000) of 1:1000000 scale in the Republic of Bashkortostan and in the Ukhto-Izhemsky oil and gas bearing region. The methods applied for laboratory research were inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for soil and bottom sediment samples and atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AMS) for ground- and surface waters. It has been determined that in the areas affected by oil production the chemical pollution aspects include deterioration of the groundwater quality caused by associated water and oil products ingress into aquifers due to violation of the oil and gas well drilling techniques, and soil salination caused by frequent equipment breaks during oil production. Aspects of radiation contamination of the environment during oil production include the intake of radionuclides with associated water, and sometimes with heavy hydrocarbon fractions, as well as the consequences of underground nuclear explosions. It is concluded that the territories of hydrocarbon exploration, production and storage should be classified as areas of potential risk for radioactive contamination and chemical pollution (by inorganic compounds, including heavy metal salts). Uranium concentration in drinking water was determined by the INAA method (instrumental neutron activation analysis).

Disaster Management Strategies Before, During and in the Aftermath of a Nuclear Explosion

Disaster Management Strategies Before, During and in the Aftermath of a Nuclear Explosion

On the role of protection of particularly important facilities in the context of special operations to localize stress zones

Within the framework of the study, the authors present approaches to defining the concept of a “particularly important object”, and propose their own definition, including the establishment of an appropriate status by state bodies, provided that harm to such objects will entail negative consequences at the regional, national, and global levels. The negative consequences of special operations carried out in the USSR to intensify the extraction of minerals and changes in river flows using controlled atomic explosions, the locations of which should be attributed to particularly important facilities, have been revealed. The conclusion is made about the growing global environmental and food crisis, which negatively affects the standard of living of the world's population. The elements of the protection system for particularly important facilities and stress zones have been identified, considering modern challenges and threats.

Рецензія на монографію «Сучасні радіаційно-ядерні загрози: навчальний посібник»

The study guide "Modern Radiation-Nuclear Threats" examines issues of radiation-nuclear threats at the current stage of human development (characteristics of the phenomenon of radioactivity and ionizing radiation, descriptions of nuclear warheads, damage factors of a nuclear explosion, radiation terrorism and radiation weapons, radiation-nuclear accidents at nuclear power plants etc). Features of the biological action of ionizing radiation (primary and secondary radiobiological effects, stochastic and deterministic effects, chronic radiation sickness) are described. Data are provided on the prospects for the development of nuclear energy in Ukraine. Modern technical means for assessing the degree of radiation-nuclear threat were considered separately: military dosimetric devices, dosimetric devices of the State Emergency Service and devices used in atomic energy were characterized. Issues of interdepartmental cooperation in the field of prevention and response to radiation and nuclear threats in Ukraine were considered. The study guide is intended for students, intern doctors and students of higher medical educational institutions of Ukraine and post-graduate medical education institutions. The study guide is drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the Program for the Training of Citizens of Ukraine under the Program for the Training of Reserve Officers of the Medical Service, the module "Military Toxicology, Radiology and Medical Protection" for applicants of the first (bachelor's) level of knowledge 22 "Health Care" in the specialties "Medical business", "Dentistry", "Pediatrics", "Pharmacy" and the second (master's) level of knowledge 22 "Health care" for military accounting specialties "Medical business", "Dentistry", "Pharmacy".

Estimation of the protected zone sizes for peaceful nuclear explosions based on quantitative patterns of the Earth’s interior deformation

The designation of peaceful nuclear explosions as special radioactive waste imposes serious requirements to the territory of the explosion, its boundaries, and stakeholders informing about the prohibition of economic activities within these boundaries. The acting Sanitary Norms and Rules SanPiN 2.6.1.2819–10 “Ensuring radiation safety of the population living in areas where nuclear explosions were conducted (1965–1988) for peaceful purposes” do not define the size of the boundaries of protected zones. The aim of this paper is to analyze the scientific literature on the structure of deformation changes in the Earth’s interior due to peaceful nuclear explosions and to justify quantitative ratios on the basis of which the size of protected zones can be estimated. The quantitative ratios were selected on the basis of a comparative analysis of the literature data. Using the ratios values made it possible to calculate the radii of deformation changes (cavities, crushing zones, fracturing zones, and zones of residual deformations) in various rocks. It is shown that the maximum values of fracturing radii for peaceful nuclear explosions carried out on the territory of the Russian Federation in hard rocks and in plastic rocks do not exceed 200 m and 250 m, respectively.

Hydromechanical characterization of gas transport amidst uncertainty for underground nuclear explosion detection

Given the challenge of definitively discriminating between chemical and nuclear explosions using seismic methods alone, surface detection of signature noble gas radioisotopes is considered a positive identification of underground nuclear explosions (UNEs). However, the migration of signature radionuclide gases between the nuclear cavity and surface is not well understood because complex processes are involved, including the generation of complex fracture networks, reactivation of natural fractures and faults, and thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) coupling of radionuclide gas transport in the subsurface. In this study, we provide an experimental investigation of hydro-mechanical (HM) coupling among gas flow, stress states, rock deformation, and rock damage using a unique multi-physics triaxial direct shear rock testing system. The testing system also features redundant gas pressure and flow rate measurements, well suited for parameter uncertainty quantification. Using porous tuff and tight granite samples that are relevant to historic UNE tests, we measured the Biot effective stress coefficient, rock matrix gas permeability, and fracture gas permeability at a range of pore pressure and stress conditions. The Biot effective stress coefficient varies from 0.69 to 1 for the tuff, whose porosity averages 35.3% ± 0.7%, while this coefficient varies from 0.51 to 0.78 for the tight granite (porosity <1%, perhaps an underestimate). Matrix gas permeability is strongly correlated to effective stress for the granite, but not for the porous tuff. Our experiments reveal the following key engineering implications on transport of radionuclide gases post a UNE event: (1) The porous tuff shows apparent fracture dilation or compression upon stress changes, which does not necessarily change the gas permeability; (2) The granite fracture permeability shows strong stress sensitivity and is positively related to shear displacement; and (3) Hydromechanical coupling among stress states, rock damage, and gas flow appears to be stronger in tight granite than in porous tuff.

The Fragile State of Industrial Agriculture: Estimating Crop Yield Reductions in a Global Catastrophic Infrastructure Loss Scenario.

Modern civilization relies on a complex, globally interconnected industrial agriculture system to produce food. Its unprecedented yields hinge on external inputs like machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides, rendering it vulnerable to disruptions in production and international trade. Such a disruption could be caused by large-scale damage to the electrical grid. Solar storms, nuclear detonations in the upper atmosphere, pandemics, or cyber-attacks, could cause this severe damage to electrical infrastructure. To assess the impact of such a global catastrophic infrastructure loss on major food crops (corn, rice, soybean, wheat), we employ a generalized linear model. The predictions show a crop-specific yield reduction between 15% and 37% in phase 1, the year after the catastrophe, assuming rationed use of fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel stocks. In phase 2, when all stocks are depleted, yields decrease by 35%-48%. Soybean is less affected in phase 1, while all crops experience strong declines in phase 2. Europe, North and South America, and parts of India, China, and Indonesia face major yield reductions, potentially up to 75%, while most African countries are less affected. These findings underscore the necessity for preparation by highlighting the vulnerability of the food system.

Unsupervised Machine Learning Clustering of Seismic and Infrasound Data Quality Metrics

Abstract Developing techniques for improving quality control (QC) schemes to catch seismic and infrasound data defects continues to be an area of active research. Selecting universal thresholds for the automation of data quality (DQ) checks is an efficient way to find QC issues, but these thresholds may not apply well to multiple stations with varying DQ characteristics. In addition, these thresholds may not catch subtle changes in DQ parameters that still indicate problems. Machine learning can be an alternative way of diagnosing QC issues. K-means clustering, an unsupervised machine learning clustering algorithm, has been effectively used in the past for geophysical pattern exploration. This study furthers k-means applications to DQ analysis through clustering on DQ metrics derived from day-long segments of nuclear explosion monitoring data. Our k-means implementation on broadband seismometer DQ metrics separately clustered mass recenters, calibrations lasting at least one hour, and days without either. Applying this technique to infrasound DQ metrics revealed clusters related to physical issues at the stations, such as missing back volume screws and the flooding of ported pipe inlets. These are both examples of QC issues that are difficult to diagnose or detect through the thresholding of metrics or by inspecting waveforms and spectra. Our results show that k-means clustering can be a useful QC tool in exploring DQ patterns to assist analyst review of station operation and maintenance. The learned knowledge from this exploration can then inform a thresholding workflow on how to tailor to individual stations, or the k-means model could classify data directly.

Modern radioecological situation at the site of the peaceful underground nuclear explosion "Crystal" and radionuclides in the surface waters of the adjacent territory (western Yakutia)

The radioecological situation at the site of the peaceful underground nuclear explosion «Crystal» after removal land cover and installation of the arti cial cover of rock from nearby quarry above the epicenter is considered. In 2012 the ambient dose equivalent rate of gamma radiation varied from 0.04 to 0.066 μSv/h, in 2019 the content of radionuclides in soils was (Bq/kg): 90Sr 2.5-5.3, 239,240Pu 0.03-25.4, 137Cs

Examining the potential for detecting simultaneous noble gas and aerosol samples in the international monitoring system radionuclide network

The purpose of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is to establish a legally binding ban on nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions. The Preparatory Commission for the CTBT Organization (CTBTO PrepCom) is developing the International Monitoring System (IMS) that includes a global network of 80 stations to monitor for airborne radionuclides upon entry into force of the CTBT. All 80 radionuclide stations will monitor for particulate radionuclides and at least half of the stations will monitor for radioxenon. The airborne radionuclide monitoring is an important verification technology both for the detection of a radionuclide release and in the determination of whether the release event originates from a nuclear explosion as opposed to an industrial use of nuclear materials.Nuclear power plants and many medical isotope production facilities release radioxenon into the atmosphere. Low levels of a few particulate isotopes, such as iodine, may also be released. Detections of multiple isotopes are useful for screening the radionuclide samples for relevance to the Treaty. This paper examines the anticipated joint detections in the IMS of noble gas and particulate isotopes from underground nuclear explosions where breaches in the underground containment vents from low levels to up to 1% of the radionuclide inventory of the resulting fission products to the atmosphere. Detection probabilities are based on 844 simulated release events spaced out at 17 release locations and one year in time. Six different release (venting) scenarios, including two fractionated scenarios, were analyzed.When ranked by detection probability, 11 particulate isotopes and one noble gas isotope (133Xe) appear in the top 20 isotopes for all six release scenarios. Using the 11 particulate isotopes and the one noble gas isotope, the IMS has nearly the same detection probability as when 45 particulate and 4 noble gas isotopes are used. Thus, a limited list of relevant radionuclides may be sufficient for treaty verification purposes. The probability that at least one particulate and at least one radioxenon isotope would be detected in the IMS from the release events ranged from 0.15 to 0.86 depending on the release scenario.

THE PROBLEM OF OBTAINING COMBINED GAMMA AND OPTICAL DETECTORS FOR THE REGISTRATION OF FAST NUCLEAR PROCESSES

The physical and technical aspects of the registration of fast physical processes involving nuclear transformations with the help of binary detectors in the γ-and optical ranges are considered We chose a semiconducting perovskite crystal CsPbBr3 as the main element of the detector. Have been presented with geometrical and technologically usable parameters of the CsPbBr3 crystal for its implementations in nuclear medicine, geophysics and astrophysics. One of the objects that allow testing of the developed high-speed spectrographic equipment are lightning discharges in the atmospheres of planets, including the Earth. The thermonuclear nature of γ-bursts detected during thunderstorms was revealed by their spectra. The paper shows the role of the corresponding channels involving high-energy protons and α-particles, leading to the formation of 116C, 137 N, 158O isotopes. The registration of the γ-spectrum of the flash and its evolution allowed to estimate the character, energy and time scales of the processes necessary for the design and manufacture of multipurpose measuring complexes by us. The inclusion of γ-spectra in the consideration allowed to estimate the correlation between the maximum currents of particles and the productivity of γ-rays. In the experiments planned by us, the magnetic field fluctuations caused by currents are simultaneously recorded by highly sensitive magnetic field detectors. The height of the building of the Faculty of Physics in Smolyan, Bulgaria, is 900 meters above sea level. This makes it possible to place the measuring complex as close as possible to the sources of hard radiation and to carry out easurements in the immediate vicinity. Unlike distant space objects, the perovskite detector registers the positions themselves. This makes it possible to use the methods of positron γ-spectroscopy and accurately determine the parameters of local currents. The technological parameters of the device were determined. A simulation model was created in Simulink MATLAB, LabVIEW with synchronization of the operation of the listed spectrographs. The characteristic shape of the signal formed by individual γ-quanta with the parameters of the Gaussian function and the total number of these quanta are calculated. The degree of mathematical blinding of neighboring Gaussian functions and its influence on the structure of the final spectrogram in the form of an autocorrelation function is estimated. The similarity of the time scales of thermonuclear explosion processes on white dwarfs (WD) and the processes of synthesis of 116C, 137 N and 158O isotopes in the flash head is determined. It is concluded that it is expedient to create a robotic network of lightning observation stations similar to the meteor patrol at the I. I. Mechnikov National University of Ukraine.

Isotope relations of transuraniums under conditions of the artificial explosive nucleosynthesis

Artificial creation of isotopes under extremal neutron fluxes at nuclear explosions allowed to obtain the identifiable quantities of transuraniums with neutron excess up to 19. The analysis of yield relations between produced neighboring isotopes (with A-atomic mass pairs 245/244, 246/245, 247/246) allows to evaluate the reached neutron fluences (in units of 1024 neutron/cm2) in the volume of the irradiated target. The obtained results (basing on the developed dynamical model for transuranium isotope generation under pulse nucleosynthesis) for large scale experiments allow to consider the dependence of isotope relations from the fluence as approximately linear within obtained values of fluences up to ∼2.5 × 1024 neutron/cm2.

Radiation-Geochemical Characteristics of Cryoconite Sediments on the Witte Glacier (Novaya Zemlya Archipelago)

The article presents the results of studying specific organomineral formations—cryoconite sediments—samples of which were taken on the surface of the Witte Glacier (Medvezhiy Bay, Novaya Zemlya) on cruise 76 of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. The specific activities of 137Cs, 241Am, 207Bi, 210Pb, and 7Be were measured in 14 samples. Analysis of the materials suggests that cryoconite contains radioactive contamination deposited in the glacier in the period from September 1957 to December 1962 as a result of atmospheric nuclear explosions at the Sukhoy Nos test site, located 100 km from the glacier. Extremely high Bi, Ag, Sb, Mo, Pb, Sn contents and a strong correlation with anthropogenic radionuclides may indicate the technogenic emission of these elements during the destructive impact of nuclear explosions on bedrock, the metallogenic specialization of which corresponds to rich polymetallic mineralization.

THEO & MUFN: Defending Earth against the 2023 PDC hypothetical asteroid impact

Planetary defense is an emerging field among the aerospace community. As the rate of near-Earth object (NEO) discoveries increases, so too does the probability that we will discover a NEO on a collision course with Earth. This paper documents a planetary defense mission campaign design to defend against the hypothetical Earth impactor 2023 PDC. At its 90th percentile mass estimate, the asteroid could have a diameter of approximately 1120 m. The asteroid makes no close approaches until Earth impact and has the potential to affect over a billion people, depending on its actual size. This paper describes a mission campaign consisting of both reconnaissance and mitigation missions that will be deployed to neutralize the threat posed by the asteroid. The reconnaissance orbiter named THEO (Terrestrial Hazard Exploration Orbiter) will survey the asteroid to clarify its morphological, gravitational, and dynamical properties. This information will be used to inform the design of the subsequent mitigation mission. THEO will be designed to have a mission lifetime of 12 years which will enable it to observe the mitigation mission and confirm its success. Two 21-day launch periods have been identified that minimize post-launch ΔV requirements and include current launch vehicle capabilities. For the purposes of this paper, the mitigation mission has been designed assuming a geocenter impact for the 90th percentile mass estimate of the asteroid because a precise impact location and an accurate mass estimate will not be available until THEO reconnoiters 2023 PDC. The mitigation mission, named MUFN (Mitigation Using a Fission Nuclear device), will send three spacecraft to rendezvous with 2023 PDC and alter the asteroid’s trajectory prior to Earth impact through a series of standoff nuclear detonations. The MUFN spacecraft are identical in design, each employing a hypergolic bi-propellant thruster. Each MUFN spacecraft launches on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Expendable launch vehicle between 2028 and 2030 and carries four 340 kt nuclear explosive device (NED) equipped orbiters, named BELA-Os (“Bull’s Eye, Later Asteroid” Orbiters). The BELA-Os are designed to sequentially deploy, maneuver to an optimal standoff distance anti-parallel to the asteroid velocity vector, and detonate the NED to impart a change-in-velocity to the asteroid. After arrival at 2023 PDC, each MUFN spacecraft will station-keep above the asteroid. The NED-equipped BELA-Os will deploy from the MUFN spacecraft and maneuver 180 degrees out of phase from MUFN to the ‘front’ of the asteroid. Once there, each BELA-O will detonate and impart 2.32 mm/s of velocity change to the asteroid. After the ablation debris has cleared, MUFN will complete a single orbit around the asteroid to survey the blast site and assess the effectiveness of the detonation. After MUFN has completed its survey, it will release another BELA-O. This process will repeat until all BELA-Os have been released by all MUFN spacecraft. All denotations will occur between 2029 and 2031. After all BELA-Os have detonated their NED payloads near the 2023 PDC asteroid to deflect its orbit, the asteroid will safely fly by Earth at a minimum altitude of 3500 km instead of colliding on October 22, 2036.

Integration of RNA-seq and ATAC-seq analyzes the effect of low dose neutron-γ radiation on gene expression of lymphocytes from oilfield logging workers

Objective: Although radiation workers are exposed to much lower doses of neutron-γ rays than those suffered in nuclear explosions and accidents, it does not mean that their health is not affected by radiation. Lower doses of radiation do not always cause morphological aberrations in chromosomes, so more sophisticated tests must be sought to specific alterations in the exposed cells. Our goal was to characterize the specific gene expression in lymphocytes from logging workers who were continuously exposed to low doses of neutron-γ radiation. We hypothesized that the combination of cell type-specific transcriptomes and open chromatin profiles would identify lymphocyte-specific gene alterations induced by long-term radiation with low-dose neutron-γ-rays and discover new regulatory pathways and transcriptional regulatory elements.Methods: Lymphocytes were extracted from workers who have been occupationally exposed to neutron-γ and workers unexposed to radiation in the same company. mRNA-seq and ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing) were performed, followed integrative analysis to identify specific gene regulatory regions induced by neutron-γ radiation. A qPCR assay was then performed to verify the downregulation of RNA coding for ribosomal proteins and flow cytometry was used to detect ribosomal protein expression and cell cycle alterations.Results: We identified transcripts that were specifically induced by neutron-γ radiation and discovered differential open chromatin regions that correlated with these gene activation patterns. Notably, we observed a downward trend in the expression of both differentially expressed genes and open chromatin peaks. Our most significant finding was that the differential peak upregulated in ATAC-seq, while the differential gene was downregulated in the ribosome pathway. We confirmed that neutron-γ radiation leads to transcriptional inhibition by analyzing the most enriched promoters, examining RPS18 and RPS27A expression by qPCR, and analyzing protein-protein interactions of the differential genes. Ribosomal protein expression and cell cycle were also affected by neutron-γ as detected by flow cytometry.Conclusion: We have comprehensively analyzed the genetic landscape of human lymphocytes based on chromatin accessibility and transcript levels, enabling the identification of novel neutron-γ induced signature genes not previously known. By comparing fine-mapping of open chromatin and RNA reads, we have determined that neutron-γ specifically leads to downregulation of genes in the ribosome pathway, with pseudogenes potentially playing a crucial role.

Evacuation and shelter plans for asteroid impacts informed by hurricanes and nuclear explosions

Evacuation zone recommendations are determined for potential asteroid impacts. In most impacts on land, the dominant damage mechanism is the blast wave. Hurricane evacuations in the United States show that on average people evacuate to a 1 in a million risk of fatality level. To achieve the equivalent risk from a blast wave, preliminary estimates show that everyone within the 1–2 psi (≈0.07–0.14 atm or bar) blast radius should evacuate as, even when taking shelter, the risk threshold is probably exceeded. From there out to the 0.4–0.5 psi radii, seeking shelter in the basement of a reinforced concrete building or storm shelter, or in a home-built shelter in the basement of a house would suffice as alternatives to evacuation while keeping the fatality risk below 1 in a million. From 0.4 down to 0.1–0.2 psi, windows may break but little to no structural damage to buildings is expected, so simply staying away from windows and doors would be sufficient.

SN 2022vqz: a peculiar subluminous Type Ia supernova with prominent early excess emission

ABSTRACT We present extensive photometric and spectroscopic observations of the peculiar Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 2022vqz. It shares many similarities with the SN 2002es-like SNe Ia, such as low luminosity ($M_{B,\rm max}=-18.11\pm 0.16$ mag) and moderate post-peak decline rate (Δm15,B = 1.33 ± 0.11 mag). The nickel mass synthesized in the explosion is estimated as 0.20 ± 0.04 M⊙ from the bolometric light curve, which is obviously lower than that of normal SNe Ia. SN 2022vqz is also characterized by slowly expanding ejecta, with Si ii velocities persisting around 7000 km s−1 since 16 d before peak brightness, unique among all known SNe Ia. While all of these properties imply a lower energy thermonuclear explosion that should leave a considerable amount of unburnt materials, the absent signature of unburnt carbon in spectra of SN 2022vqz is puzzling. A prominent early peak is clearly detected in the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System c- and o-band light curves and in the Zwicky Transient Facility gr-band data within days after the explosion. Possible mechanisms for the early peak are discussed, including the sub-Chandrasekhar-mass double-detonation model and interaction of SN ejecta with circumstellar material. We find that both models face some difficulties in replicating all aspects of the observed data. As an alternative, we propose a hybrid C–O–Ne white dwarf as the progenitor of SN 2022vqz; it can simultaneously reconcile the tension between low ejecta velocity and the absence of carbon. We further discuss the diversity of SN 2002es-like objects and their origin in the context of different scenarios.