Accurate Local Event Locations in Rock Valley, Nevada, Using a Bayesian Multiple‐Event Method

• DOI: 10.1785/0120140251
• Publication Date: 2015-04-01T10:57:21Z
• Authors: Moira L. Pyle; Stephen C. Myers; William R. Walter; Kenneth D. Smith
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 01 natural sciences; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) is a series of chemical explosions at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS, formerly Test Site) designed to improve our understanding explosion physics. A future SPE will place an hypocenter small, shallow earthquake, providing direct earthquake‐to‐explosion experiment. Candidate earthquakes for this novel experiment come from sequence over 200 unusually events that occurred in Rock Valley, Nevada, southeastern portion NNSS during 1993. We apply Bayesloc multiple‐event location algorithm (Myers et al. , 2007, 2009) determine best possible locations and depths these events. Past nuclear tests nearby Yucca Flat on are relocated with same method provide insight into accuracy uncertainties associated results Valley earthquakes. This test suggests we can accurately pinpoint within approximately 1 km their true using arrival times only. incorporation differential potential ground‐truth event significantly decrease already small epicenter locations. Depth determinations have few kilometers. uncertainty may be reduced by developing accurate 3D model P ‐wave S velocity Valley.