Contribution of the IMS global network of hydroacoustic stations for monitoring the CTBT

The International Monitoring System (IMS) of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Preparatory Commission, in Vienna operates a global network of 321 monitoring stations and 16 radionuclide laboratories that monitors the earth for evidence of nuclear explosions within the atmosphere, underwater and underground. The IMS uses a network of four verification technologies: seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound and radionuclide. All the data recorded by the IMS network are transmitted to the International Data Centre (IDC) of the CTBTO in Vienna. The data are then received, processed, resulting data and products distributed and archived by the IDC. This study will give an overview of the contribution of the IMS hydroacoustic network and will highlight that for areas not well covered with the seismic network this part of the IMS can be very valuable for detecting events, improving the location obtained from the seismic network and providing information about the nature of sources.