Acoustic signatures from a 100, OOO-pound TNT explosion recorded at distant locations

Donald R. Macken, T. Layne Livingston, and C. L. Harbison

Abstract: Two charges of TNT, each 100,000 Ib in size and hemispherical in shape, were detonated at ground level on the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. One function of the experiment was to measure the propagation and spectral characteristics of the acoustic energy generated by the blasts. This report is a description of the power spectral characteristics of the acoustic energy as recorded at ranges of 250 mi and 500 mi. Under proper meteorological conditions, acoustic signals radiated from large -scale nonnuclear blasts can be detected at distances of 500 mi. The signals received at long distances persist for many seconds, and the results of multipath propagation are evident in signal time delays.

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