CTBT: Science and Technology Conference 2025 - SnT2025

Scientific Programme

Themes and Topics of SnT2025

Keywords indicate what might fit under the Topic, including priorities. Possible submissions are not limited to the keywords.

Glossary
ATM atmospheric transport modelling
CYG CTBTO Youth Group
FAIR findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability
HPC high performance computing
IDC International Data Centre
IFE Integrated Field Exercise
IMS International Monitoring System
NDC National Data Centre
OSI On-Site Inspection
SnT CTBT: Science and technology
vDEC CTBTO virtual Data Exploitation Centre

Theme 1. The Earth as a Complex System

Physical processes and parameters relevant for monitoring CTBT compliance

• T1.1 The Atmosphere and its Dynamics

  T1.1

  Keywords: Acoustic propagation and attenuation; transport of radionuclides; global circulation; volcano-acoustics; climatology; meteorology; noise sources

• T1.2 The Solid Earth and its Structure

  T1.2

  Keywords: Seismicity; seismic propagation and attenuation, tectonics, locating seismic disturbances, subsurface properties; subsurface pathways of radionuclides

• T1.3 The Oceans and their Properties

  T1.3

  Keywords: Oceanography; hydroacoustics; ocean observatories, propagation, 2-D and 3-D models; T-phase modelling; acoustic blockage, ocean acoustic tomography and thermometry; undersea volcanoes; tsunamigenic events; soundscapes; marine mammals

• T1.4 Multidisciplinary Studies of the Earth’s Subsystems

  T1.4

  Keywords: Data analysis; modelling, physics, data fusion, phase conversion, coupling across interfaces; climate change; interference between anthropogenic aspects and the Earth system processes

Theme 2. Monitoring events and Nuclear Test Sites

Verification related aspects of nuclear tests

• T2.1 Characterization of Treaty-Relevant Events

  T2.1

  Keywords: Announced tests; detection, understanding the full extent of signals that may be generated by a nuclear explosion; location in time and space, analysis, characterization of the source, discrimination, screening criteria, differentiating nuclear tests from other human-made or natural events, discrimination and identification of small events; OSI-relevant observables

• T2.2 Seismoacoustic Sources in Theory and Practice

  T2.2

  Keywords: Differences between earthquake and explosion signatures, differences between chemical and nuclear explosions, seismoacoustic sources that could be confused with those from a nuclear explosion

• T2.3 Atmospheric and Subsurface Radionuclide Background and Dispersion

  T2.3

  Keywords: Natural and human-made sources of radioisotopes, release of radionuclides, atmospheric transport modelling, anomalies of atmospheric radioactivity, isotopic ratios that could be confused with those from a nuclear explosion, radionuclide migration

• T2.4 Historical Data from Nuclear Test Monitoring

  T2.4

  Keywords: Historical records, digitizing, archive preservation; reprocessing; discrimination; metadata; event bulletin; lessons learned for current monitoring and future OSI; data for training and exercises

Theme 3. Monitoring and On-Site Inspection Technologies and Techniques

Sensor technologies, algorithms, signal processing, accelerated computing

• T3.1 Seismic, Hydroacoustic and Infrasound Technologies and Applications

  T3.1

  Keywords: Acquisition and forwarding of continuous and segmented data; data assimilation; design of sensor systems; advanced sensors

• T3.2 Radionuclide Technologies and Applications

  T3.2

  Keywords: Sampling and sample processing, data acquisition, particulate sample systems, gamma–gamma coincidence counting; new generation noble gas systems, radionuclide laboratories

• T3.3 On-Site Inspection Relevant Techniques and insights from IFE25

  T3.3

  Keywords: Visual observations; remote sensing including multispectral, satellite imagery; remotely controlled platforms; measurements of radioactivity and energy resolution analysis; environmental sampling and analysis in mobile and field-based facilities; seismic and non-seismic geophysical techniques; drilling; synergy between techniques; OSI-relevant equipment

• T3.4 Integrating Data from Different Monitoring Technologies

  T3.4

  Keywords: Data fusion algorithms; integration of ancillary data to supplement IMS data for expert technical analysis; diverse sources of remotely sensed data; augmented reality

• T3.5 Analysis of Seismic, Hydroacoustic and Infrasound Monitoring Data

  T3.5

  Keywords: Signal processing; data analysis algorithms; machine and deep learning, HPC; bulletin quality; advanced probability approaches; adaptation and integration of methods used in other fields

• T3.6 Analysis of Radionuclide Monitoring Data

  T3.6

  Keywords: Spectrum calibration and analysis algorithms; enhancing quality of automated processing, machine and deep learning, HPC; estimation of radionuclide concentrations from known sources, improvement of event screening

Theme 4. Sustainment of Networks, Performance Evaluation, and Optimization

Engineering and operational aspects

• T4.1 Performance Evaluation of the International Monitoring System

  T4.1

  Keywords: Performance metrics; network coverage; data availability, quality and timeliness; resilience; preparedness exercises; feedback on IDC products and services; national operations and procedures

• T4.2 Systems Engineering for International Monitoring System and On-Site Inspection

  T4.2

  Keywords: Power systems; system refurbishment and modernization; communication infrastructure; sensor network design and operation

• T4.3 Use of enabling Information Technologies

  T4.3

  Keywords: Data protection; cyber security for Treaty monitoring and OSI; FAIR data; authentication of samples; simulation, computational models

• T4.4 International Monitoring System Sustainment into the future

  T4.4

  Keywords: Maintenance strategies and quality assurance, failure risk mitigation, infrastructure assessment and upgrades, systems integration and optimization, technology obsolescence and foresight, enhanced monitoring and state of health, repair, predictive and preventative maintenance, life cycle, recapitalization, efficiency and cost effectiveness, reliability and security, equipment databases, information management and automation

• T4.5 On-Site Inspection Team Functionality, and insights from IFE25

  T4.5

  Keywords: Search logic; methodology, concept for operations and building capacities; OSI data processing tailored workflows; information flow; health and safety of inspectors; training, tabletop and build-up exercises

Theme 5. CTBT Science and Technology in the Global Context

Impact from past SnTs and collaborations, broader perspectives

• T5.1 Synergies with Global Challenges

  T5.1

  Keywords: Civil and scientific applications of IMS data; natural hazards early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, nuclear and radiological emergencies; climate change studies; sustainable development goals; international collaboration; vDEC projects

• T5.2 Regional Empowerment

  T5.2

  Keywords: Capacity building and training; technical assistance; regional networking; cooperation among NDCs; multilingualism

• T5.3 Outreach

  T5.3

  Keywords: Treaty advocacy; education, mentoring programme; science communication, public information, raising awareness and understanding, outreach initiatives; human resources development; early career professionals; diversity and gender equality