BGR Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe

Nuclear Test Ban

In September 1996, directly after the opening of the CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty) for ratification at the United Nations in New York, it was signed by the Federal Republic of Germany. The CTBT prohibits atomic tests underground, under water or in the atmosphere. To ensure compliance with the CTBT, an international monitoring system (IMS) consisting of 321 evenly positioned monitoring stations around the world was planned, and is currently under construction. This network is designed to reliably detect nuclear explosions with a charge equivalent to at least one kiloton TNT.

The data from the various stations will be compiled, analysed and archived in the IDC (International Data Centre) of the CTBT-Organization (CTBTO)  at the United Nations in Vienna. The transmission of the IMS data to the IDC, which in turn places the data at the disposal of the treaty states, is carried out via a global satellite communication network (GCI Global Communication Interface). The CTBTO collaborates closely with the NDC (National Data Centres) who are responsible for the installation and operation of the stations on their own territories. Furthermore, the NDCs also have an advisory function for the CTBT Organization as well as monitoring compliance with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

The BGR is responsible for operating 4 of the 321 stations. Two observe compliance with the CTBT with seismological systems, and two are infrasound stations. Two – a seismological and an infrasound station – are located in the Bavarian Forest, and two are in Antarctica. Moreover, BGR has been entrusted with the function of an NDC. It therefore also acts as a competent contact for the German Government and for the CTBTO. The main reason for the delegation of this task to the BGR was its good reputation in the field of seismology and data management, as well as its involvement in the technical planning for the worldwide IMS.

Contact

    
Dr. Lars Ceranna
Phone: +49-(0)511-643-2252
Fax: +49-(0)511-643-3663

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