Jerusalem, August 26: An Israeli institute, which is planning to detonate 80 tons of explosives in the Negev desert, says the test is part of a study into airwaves and earthquake effects.
The Geophysical Institute of Israel (GII) announced on August 25 that the test, simulating a 3-degree earthquake on the Richter scale, will be carried out today in a controlled underground explosion.
The explosion is part of experiments on seismographical systems. European and Mediterranean countries will be monitoring the tests to examine certain effects of earthquakes.
The explosion will be conducted at a military base in the southern Negev, the Arabs48 news website reported.
Israel has performed similar experiments before – in 2004 with 35 tons and in June 2005 with 20 tons of explosives – both in the southern Negev.
The experiment, financed by the US Defense Department, is a joint project with the University of Hawaii and is part of a scientific project intended to improve seismological and acoustic readings in Israel and its environs, up to a 1,000 km (621 mile) radius.
—–Agencies