The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) has reaffirmed its ability to distinguish between mining explosions and nuclear detonations, maintaining that its global monitoring system remains effective despite increased seismic activity from industrial operations.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Fourth General Assembly of the African Seismology Commission (AfSC), CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd told Eagle FM that while mining explosions occur daily worldwide, the organisation’s advanced detection system can differentiate between natural earthquakes, chemical explosions, and nuclear tests.“Our system is constantly monitoring for any vibration source in the Earth’s crust. It sets aside earthquakes and chemical explosions like those from mining, but sometimes, we need to conduct a more detailed analysis to confirm that an event is not a nuclear explosion,” Floyd said.
Addressing concerns about climate change affecting seismic activity, Floyd noted that while rising global temperatures impact sound wave propagation, the CTBTO’s monitoring capabilities remain strong.
“The physics of wave propagation depends on temperature, particularly in the oceans, but this does not diminish our system’s effectiveness. In fact, the data we collect contributes to climate change research, helping measure average sea temperatures,” he explained.
He also highlighted Namibia’s collaboration with the CTBTO through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, which operates a National Data Centre and two monitoring stations in Tsumeb.
“The infrastructure in Namibia works wonderfully with us. We provide training to professionals at the National Data Centre on data analysis and station maintenance,” he said, adding that these skills can also support natural disaster assessments and mining activity tracking.
Despite increased developmental projects such as large-scale mining and dam construction, Floyd assured that such activities do not interfere with nuclear test monitoring.
“If there are major activities involving explosions, whether for road construction or water projects, they are detected but not confused with nuclear explosions. It’s not a concern for us,” he concluded.
The Fourth AfSC, currently underway in Windhoek, marks the first time Namibia is hosting the event, bringing together experts to discuss earthquake monitoring, hazard assessments, and advancements in seismology.
Namibia is leveraging seismic data to boost national development, particularly in the mining and construction sectors, according to Penda Inthindi, Executive Director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, who also spoke at the event.Inthindi emphasised the critical role of seismology in understanding geological hazards and improving infrastructure planning.
He noted that Namibia’s earthquake catalogue, spanning over a century, has been instrumental in identifying seismic zones and guiding construction projects.
“Our publicly available seismic data is highly sought after by industries such as mining, construction, and local authorities for risk assessment and geotechnical engineering studies,” said Inthindi.
“A prime example is the Anker settlement in the Kunene Region, where school infrastructure was designed based on micro-zonation studies conducted in 2020.”
Inthindi highlighted the importance of regional collaboration, urging African nations to share seismological data and strengthen partnerships to enhance research and resource mobilisation.
Seismology, the study of earthquakes and seismic waves, plays a crucial role in understanding the Earth’s movements.
The 4th AfSC serves as a key platform for seismologists across Africa to collaborate, discuss regional seismic monitoring, and strengthen coordination efforts.
This year’s assembly focuses on critical topics, including Namibia’s seismological network and a review of seismic activity and earthquake events across the continent.
Since its launch in 2014, the AfSC General Assembly has grown significantly, contributing to advancements in seismology and regional cooperation.
