Body-wave magnitude bias between Pokhran and eastern Kazakh nuclear test sites

Abstract

For estimating the yield of the Indian nuclear explosions of 11 May 1998 (POK2), some seismologists have used the parameters of Shagan River test site (SRTS) eastern Kazakh as a representative for Pokhran test site, and have underestimated the yield of POK2. Here, we have shown that there is a body-wave magnitude bias of ~0.4 units between the SRTS and the Pokhran site. In view of this, it will be necessary to take this bias into account before estimating the yield of POK2 using a yield-magnitude relation that is applicable to the SRTS alone.