On Yields of May 11, 1998 Indian explosions by network averaged teleseismic P-wave spectra

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the interpretation of teleseismic P-wave spectra from the 1998 Indian explosions, showing they are ambiguous and could match multiple different nuclear test sites and yields.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the spectral data previously attributed to Indian explosions can also be explained by explosions at other international testing sites, challenging prior interpretations.

Findings

Spectral data are ambiguous and not uniquely attributable to Indian tests.

The same spectra fit multiple explosion sites and yields, including Russian, French, and US tests.

Previous attributions based solely on spectral similarity are not definitive.

Abstract

We show here that the network averaged teleseismic P-wave spectra for Indian explosions of May 11, 1998, given by Barker et al, do not have an unambiguous interpretation. Barker et al had earlier demonstrated these were similar to the Shagan River testing site of former Soviet Union. We prove here that these are equally consistent with RUBIS (57 kt) and PILEDRIVER (62kt) explosions in French Hogger and US Nevada testing sites respectively.