-Caveat Lector- http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_514000/514414.stm Dead Sea fake quakes bolster nuclear ban <<...>> By BBC News Online's Damian Carrington Geophysicists in Israel are setting off tonnes of explosives under the Dead Sea to create artificial earthquakes. The results will improve seismic monitoring equipment which detects nuclear weapon tests and earthquakes. Blasts using 500 kg and 2,000 kg explosive charges have already been detonated to test for environmental damage before the main test. This involves a 5,000 kg explosive charge set 100 metres below the surface and is planned for Thursday. It will create tremors equivalent to a magnitude 4.0 earthquake. Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty "These tests are to calibrate two stations which are part of an international monitoring network, set up to support the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CBTB)," said Dr Aoife O'Mongain, at the British Geological Survey, which is helping with the tests. The timing of the tests is controlled with millisecond accuracy and the location to five metres. This means the source of the artificial earthquake is known and so the effect of the rocks in the region on the signal can be worked out. Dr O'Mongain told BBC News Online that this will "help a lot" in precisely identifying the force and epicentre of future nuclear tests and earthquakes, and distinguishing between the two. The tests are part of a project called "Improvements in Monitoring the CTBT in the Middle East by the Israel Seismic Network " which is funded by the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Environmental criticism Avi Shapira of Israel's Seismology Department in the Geophysical Institute said two studies carried out by the Institute and the Geological Survey of Israel had "addressed all the problems" of environmental safety. An Institute statement stated there is: "no hazard to the people, property and the environment". They add that the lack of fish in the hyper-saline Dead Sea makes it an ideal test bed. However, environmentalists have criticised the tests, saying they could damage the sea's fragile ecosystem. "You have to be very careful in such a delicate area and I'm not sure they have taken all the necessary precautions," said Ofer Ben-Dov of Greenpeace Israel. Damage assessment The Israeli Environment Ministry, which had tried to stop the test blasts, is meeting representatives from the Geophysical Institute on Wednesday to assess whether the first two explosions had caused any damage. "We have to be sure there is no damage to the environment, to the rivers that flow to the sea, to the caves and nature reserves around there," said ministry spokesman Yiftah Kramer. Scientists last released a controlled explosion in the Dead Sea in 1977 but this type of test occurs around the world more frequently. The last was in Kazhakstan in 1998. ======================= Robert F. Tatman Computer Help Desk Desktop & LAN Services Systems Department Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 215.854.2729 215.854.2788 The contents of this message represent the opinion only of the writer, and may not be construed to indicate the endorsement of Knight-Ridder, Inc.; Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.; The Philadelphia Inquirer; or the Philadelphia Daily News. "Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity." DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
