Ground Motion Measurements for the Queso Nuclear Event

QUESO was a low yield nuclear event detonated at a depth of 216.4 m in hole U10bf at the Nevada Test Site on August 11, 1982. Shock wave histories containing the peak residual stress values were obtained for the first time in free field measurements. Radial and tangential stress measurements indicated a strong residual stress field was induced above the cavity by 200 ms after the nuclear detonation, following rebound of that region after passage of the ground shock. Free field particle velocity profiles corresponded closely with measurements made at comparable ranges in the emplacement hole.