Geophysics and weapons inspection

Until 1996, international weapons inspection and arms control missions did not include sophisticated geophysical investigation. On-site inspections depended largely on visual observation, personal communication, and physical searches. As part of the first geophysical survey team to operate under international auspices, we were party to both the technical and the human challenges of using geophysical instruments in less-than-ideal circumstances. This article introduces our experience as “geophysical weapons inspectors.” Initially, the paper provides background to this unprecedented application of geophysics to an international monitoring regime. It then describes typical procedures and specific tasks and concludes with more personal reflections about our participation in this (to us) novel undertaking—one in which some of our geophysical colleagues are likely to be active in the future.