In response to further media inquiries, Dr Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), has provided the following statement:

 

“At the specific time of 9:18am UTC, on 22 June 2020, the CTBTO's International Monitoring System (IMS) detected two very small seismic events, 12 seconds apart. The location of these events was in the vicinity of 40.65N; 89.22E and 41.08N; 89.63E.

 

The IMS is currently capable of identifying events consistent with nuclear test explosions with a yield equivalent to or greater than approximately 500 tonnes of TNT. These two events were far below that level. As a result, with this data alone, it is not possible to assess the cause of these events with confidence.

 

Verification mechanisms which could address disputed claims or smaller explosions are provided by the Treaty but can only be used once the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty enters into force.”

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear explosions everywhere, by everyone, and for all time. Adherence to the Treaty is nearly universal, with 187 signatories and 178 ratifying States. To enter into force, the Treaty must be ratified by all 44 States listed in its Annex 2, for which nine ratifications are still required. 

 

The CTBTO has established an International Monitoring System (IMS) to ensure that no nuclear test explosion goes undetected. Currently, 307 certified facilities - of a total of 337 when complete - are operating around the world, using four main technologies: seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound and radionuclide. 

 

The data collected by the IMS has also been used for disaster mitigation such as earthquake monitoring and tsunami warning, as well as research into fields as diverse as whale migration, climate change and the prediction of monsoon rains.  

 

You can learn more about the Treaty and the Organization at www.ctbto.org and @CTBTO on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.