| Abstract: | The concept of determining magnitudes, Mτ, of regional events (Δ < 1000 km) by means of coda-duration measurements is re-examined by using short-period vertical-component seismograms from Nevada Test Site explosions. The duration is specified as the time interval between the expected arrival of the S-wave and the time when coda waves fall and stay below 80 μm peak-to-peak ground displacement. The suggested procedure requires that for Mτ = 4.0 the coda duration at a distance of 100 km is 120 s. The adaptivity of the method is examined in terms of the single-station magnitude scatter, and with respect to the potential accuracy of the yield estimation of the explosions.The derived magnitude formula for underground nuclear explosions in granite is of the form: Mτ =0.18+0.001Δ+1.79 log τ+Cs, where Cs is a station correction coefficient for non-WWNSS stations. |
