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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
09:18
Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
Published on: December 14, 2017
Nuclear explosions and distant earthquakes: a search for correlations.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 10, 1970
Summary
A previous apparent link between nuclear explosions and earthquakes from 1961-1966 was not found in later data (1966-1968). The study found no relationship between nuclear test size and distant earthquake occurrences.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Seismology
- Nuclear Testing
Background:
- Previous research suggested a correlation between nuclear explosions and seismic activity between 1961 and 1966.
- This potential link warranted further investigation to confirm or refute the association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-examine the relationship between nuclear explosions and earthquakes using updated data.
- To determine if the previously observed correlation persisted over time.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of seismic event data, specifically focusing on the period from September 1966 to December 1968.
- Comparison of earthquake occurrences with records of nuclear explosion events.
Main Results:
- The apparent correlation between nuclear explosions and earthquakes observed in earlier data (1961-1966) was not present in the later dataset (1966-1968).
- No statistically significant relationship was found between the magnitude of nuclear explosions and the frequency of distant earthquakes.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that the previously reported correlation between nuclear explosions and earthquakes was likely coincidental or specific to the earlier time period.
- Further research may be needed to fully understand the complex interactions between large-scale man-made events and natural seismic phenomena.
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