Yield estimation for Semipalatinsk underground nuclear explosions using seismic surface-wave observations at near-regional distances

A statistical procedure is described for estimating the yields of undergrou nd nuclear tests at the former Soviet Semipalatinsk test site using the pea k amplitudes of short-period surface waves observed at near-regional distan ces (Delta < 150 km) from these explosions. This methodology is then applie d to data recorded from a large sample of the Semipalatinsk explosions, inc luding the Soviet JVE explosion of September 14, 1988, and it is demonstrat ed that it provides seismic estimates of explosion yield which are typicall y within 20% of the yields determined for these same explosions using more accurate, non-seismic techniques based on near-source observations.