Is it possible to know if N. Korea made a nuclear test.?

Question

North Korea claims to have tested a nuclear bomb. I know that scientists will try to find out the truth of this by measuring the radioactivity in the atmosspere, but could they really see the difference between a real a-bomb and a conventional bomb with some added radiactive stuff.

Answer 1

To know with absolute certainty, that is unlikely. But there are seismic signatures that can help rule out conventional explosives.

For example, nuclear explosions occur more rapidly over time than conventional explosions from TNT for example. Thus, if the seismic signature of the NK test has a relatively flat and long amplitude, they probably had a conventional explosion. But if the signature is relatively steep and short, it was more than likely nuclear.

The U.S. has an extensive database describing conventional vs. nuclear seismic profiles. I presume Western intelligence agents are looking at the seismic profiles they have collected from the NK test even as we speak.

As to radioactivity...that certainly would tell the tale, but well shielded underground tests do not put radioactivity into the air. Not to say the NK's conducted a well sealed test, but if they did, there would be no radioactivity to detect in the air. So, although radioactivity would indicate a nuclear text, the absence of radioactivity would not rule it out.

Answer 2

depends on a lot of things. The type of bomb dictates the radiation. I believe your typical thermonuclear bomb gives off primarily alpha radiation. A sheet of paper is sufficient to block it. If the bomb was detonated underground, the only radiation we'd have a chance at measuring is gamma. It would easily be possible to get the level of gamma radiation below measurable amounts by burrying the bomb deep enough. So although it MIGHT be possible to confirm a detonation buy measuring radiation, it is NOT possible to prove that no detonation occured.