Accession Number:

AD0759549

Title:

Theoretical Calculation of Acoustic-Gravity Wave Excitation by Nuclear Explosions in the Atmosphere

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

TELEDYNE GEOTECH ALEXANDRIA VA ALEXANDRIA LABS

Personal Author(s):

• Newton, C. A.
• Flinn, E. A.
• Harkrider, D. G.

Report Date:

1973-03-05

Pagination or Media Count:

38.0

Abstract:

From theoretical calculations of acoustic-gravity waves in the period range 40 to 1,000 seconds from various combinations of yield and burst height, the authors conclude that the power varies as the square of the yield for low- altitude explosions and as the two-thirds power for altitudes above 100 km. For a given yield, the power increases with burst height to a maximum which is found at lower altitudes for higher yields. The affect of variable atmospheric structure along the propagation paths render it possible to make only a rough estimate of yield and no meaningful estimate of burst height. The study also shows that all of the first ten modes are always relatively well excited so that the relative modal structure of a signal is not a good diagnostic for burst height.

Descriptors:

• *MICROBAROMETRIC WAVES
• *NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
• AIRBURST
• CORRELATION TECHNIQUES
• DETECTION
• HEIGHT FINDING
• INTENSITY
• POWER SPECTRA

Subject Categories:

• Nuclear Weapons

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE