US Conducts Underground Non-Nuclear Blast Test to Improve Nuclear Detection
The US conducted a subsurface chemical high-explosive experiment in Nevada to improve detection of low-yield and difficult-to-detect nuclear explosions amid renewed arms control concerns.
The United States has conducted a subsurface, non-nuclear chemical high-explosive experiment at the Nevada National Security Site as part of efforts to improve the detection of low-yield nuclear explosions.
The US National Nuclear Security Administration said the experiment took place in the P Tunnel in Area 12 and involved chemical high explosives and radiotracers. Scientists will use the data to validate models and improve algorithms designed to identify nuclear explosions, including so-called “decoupled” blasts that can reduce their seismic signatures.
The experiment comes amid renewed scrutiny of nuclear monitoring and allegations involving China. Earlier this year, Washington accused Beijing of conducting a secret nuclear test in June 2020 using methods that allegedly reduced its seismic detectability. China rejected the allegation as “entirely unfounded” and accused the US of creating a justification for potentially resuming nuclear testing.
The latest experiment was not a nuclear weapons test and did not involve a nuclear explosion. Instead, it focused on understanding how underground blasts are detected and how monitoring systems can distinguish different types of explosions.
The exercise also comes as the US pushes for broader arms-control discussions amid concerns about the ability to monitor nuclear activity. In short, the blast was designed to make sure future blasts—especially the ones trying to stay quiet—don’t get an easy pass from detection systems.
