SIGNAL STRENGTH OF MARINE SEISMOGRAPH EXPLOSIVES

Abstract

The impulse of the shock wave from an underwater explosion, as recorded under laboratory conditions, has been used to predict the signal strength of heterogeneous explosives of the nitro‐carbo‐nitrate type used in offshore seismic exploration. The changes in relative magnitude of the shock‐wave impulse due to changes in composition and to varying shot‐firing depths are reported; compositions that maximized the impulse were found for a mixture of aluminum, dinitrotoluene, oil, and ammonium nitrate. Increasing shot‐firing depth from 6 to 9 ft increased measured impulse 16 percent for charges having identical weights and compositions.