Monitoring of Nuclear Tests at Operating World Test Sites

Makanchi Seismic Array

Under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) signed by the Republic of Kazakhstan on September 30, 1996, the National Nuclear Center performs monitoring of nuclear tests using NNC RK geophysical station network established in period 1994 to 2001 and the Center for Acquisition and Processing the Special Seismic Information functioning as the National Data Center established in 1999.

Kazakhstan stations (Borovoye, Kurchatov, Makanchi) are well known in the world for unique conditions of signal recording and able to record even weak seismic events occurring at long distances (in 1994 - 1996 they recorded underground nuclear explosions conducted in France at Mururoa test site and in China at Lop Nur test site, in 1998 - 2000 - underground nuclear explosions conducted by India and Pakistan). Created in the Soviet period specially for nuclear test monitoring presently these stations have been restored, upgraded, equipped with up-to-date means of digital recording and systems for data transferring to the Data Center.

In 1996 on the proposal of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstan stations, four seismological (among other 170) and one infrasound (among other 60), were incorporated into the International Monitoring System (IMS) founded to monitor nuclear tests under the CTBT.

In 2000, PS023 Makanchi, the first in Kazakhstan seismic array of the CTBT International Monitoring System (IMS CTBTO) was commissioned.

Designing of Borovoye-AS057 seismic array and IS031 Aktyubinsk infrasound array was completed and their construction within the IMS structure is started.

Within the Agreement between Kazakhstan and the USA the Karatau seismic array in South Kazakhstan is being constructed.

Presently, within Kazakhstan system of geophysical monitoring 4 seismic and 2 infrasound arrays are operating. Besides, two three-component seismic stations Talgar and Podgornoye near Almaty were installed and are recording events; Aktyubinsk three-component seismic station continues operation.

Kazakhstan specialists are experienced in designing stations, geological surveying of the construction sites, studying noises and, based on their analysis, validating the optimum configuration of seismic array, participation in equipment installation and station operation.

In a new structural sub-unit, the Center for Acquisition and Processing the Special Seismic Information (Almaty), an equipment was installed and satellite communication channels started operating for Makanchi, Borovoye, Kurchatov seismic arrays. Now the geophysical data from these stations are transferred to the Center in real time.

The data are analyzed for quality, seismic events (earthquakes and explosions) record results are processed, primary and processed information is stored, the data are exchanged with data centers of the International Monitoring System, the Global Seismic Network and any other interested organizations.

The Center developed a technology to create bases for initial seismic records in the formats unified with the world Data Center formats, bases for initial seismic records have been developed since 1994. For the first time in the Central Asia using a developed computer-based technology a seismological bulletin on regional events was started.

All activities are carried out in cooperation with international organizations and national agencies of other countries - Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, IRIS Consortium, CTBTO PTS, AFTAC, ISTC, NORSAR, etc.

NNC RK specialists together with international groups inspect the locations of probable unauthorized nuclear tests, organize and hold international seminars and training.

A very interesting and important direction in the field of monitoring resulted due to elimination of the test site nuclear infrastructure. The explosions conducted in the Degelen tunnels and Balapan holes were used to calibrate stations of the International Monitoring System. 

Under an Agreement between the USA and the Republic of Kazakhstan Concerning the Destruction of Silo Launchers of International Ballistic Missiles, Emergency Response, and the Prevention of Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons signed on December 13, 1993 the calibration experiments were conducted in August 1998 in Tunnel 214 (Omega 1), in September 1999 (Omega 2) and in July 2000 (Omega 3) in Tunnel 160B of the Degelen Mountain Complex.

The calibration explosions at the STS are part of the test series carried out in support of the CTBT. Each of the experiments is unique in its technical design and arouses deep interest of scientists, engineers and other specialists.

Among Kazakhstan and US specialists in Omega 3 experiment the scientists and observers from other countries (Russia, France, Germany) and international organizations (CTBTO, ISTC) were engaged.