He and other scientists use them to watch for earthquakes, terrorist bombings, or secret weapons tests. These 16,000 ears that are around on the ground are a tremendous resource, says Wallace. We know now the scientists were right the Kursk did sink from an internal explosion. When we look at the seismic records, what we're looking at is ground shaking at some remote spot. In the case of the kursk, what we saw was a very sharp seismic signal, says Wallace.
Seismology can also serve as a deterrent for countries trying to test clandestine weapons.
No would-be violator can be confidant that they can get away with a nuclear test explosion without being caught, says says Daryl Kimball of the Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Dangers. These seismic sleuths are seismologists at universities and research institutions who are also helping with nonproliferation. Terry Wallace says those 16 thousand ears to the ground discourage test ban cheaters. It's hard to find good help these days. I would hire someone and fire them two weeks later, says Debbie Ranniger, who owns a nursery in Kent, Washington.