Prediction and matching of teleseismic ground motion (body and surface waves) from the NTS MAST explosion

This report presents the results of a theoretical prediction of the teleseismic body and surface wave signatures of the NTS underground explosion, MAST, and a detailed comparison of the predicted waveforms with seismograms recorded at stations of the Special Data Collection System (SDCS). This study involves a comprehensive analysis of the MAST explosion, including computer modeling of the close-in nonlinear ground motion produced by this event, propagation of the resultant stress waves through the appropriate earth structures and computation of seismograms recorded at designated teleseismic stations. Comparison of theoretical and observed short- and long-period seismograms were made with respect to amplitude, waveform and travel time. Travel times were closely matched as were the waveforms for surface waves. For body waves a number of the SDCS stations are within the triplication range and the waveform match is far from ideal. Still, amplitudes for both body and surface waves were matched to within 50 percent and were much closer in most cases.