US blast simulation targets China’s alleged secret nuclear testing
The US has conducted a non-nuclear underground experiment to enhance its ability to detect low-yield nuclear explosions that it explicitly linked with a test that Washington suspects China carried out in 2020 – an accusation Beijing denies. The US Department of Energy announced on Wednesday that the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) conducted a “subsurface, non-nuclear chemical…
The US has conducted a non-nuclear underground experiment to improve its ability to detect low-yield nuclear explosions, specifically linking the potential to a test China allegedly carried out in 2020. Beijing denies these allegations. The US Department of Energy announced the "subsurface, non-nuclear chemical high-explosive" experiment at the Nevada National Security Site, aiming to enhance the US's detection capabilities.
The experiment collected data to validate scientific models and refine algorithms critical to the detection of such explosions. Despite the US's accusation, China has denied the test occurred and maintains its compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which the US and China signed in 1996 but neither has ratified.
Experts state that while the experiment can enhance US capabilities, detecting very low-yield explosions remains challenging. The CTBTO's International Monitoring System did not detect any event consistent with a nuclear test on the date of the alleged Chinese test.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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