| Cleared for public release on 9 June 1998 (DSWA Prod. 350) The documentary describes a unique series of seismic experiments conducted by the Defense Nuclear Agency (renamed DSWA in 1997 and DTRA in 1998) and the National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan in conjunction with on-going nuclear testing infrastructure elimination activities at the former Semipalatinsk Test Site under the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. These R&D-funded experiments were conducted within a specific test field known as Balapan. Data from these experiments were used to strengthen the ability of worldwide networks to monitor seismic activities and improve the verifiability of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. In early 1997, DTRA awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to the National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan and its designated subcontractors - the Institute of Geophysical Research and the Jarylis Explosives Enterprise - to design and perform these experiments between 3 August and 28 September 1997. Seismology support was provided by the Lawrence Livermore National Lab, the Los Alamos National Lab, and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. This documentary was produced by Dr. William Leith, Senior Geologist (USGS), and Luke J. Kluchko, Project Manager (DTRA) under DSWA IACRO 97-10234. |
