CTBT: International Monitoring System

Key Point: The International Monitoring System (IMS) is a worldwide network of monitoring stations that will help to verify compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) by detecting events that might indicate violations of the Treaty.

When complete, the IMS will consist of 337 monitoring facilities. It will be complemented by an intrusive on-site inspection regime applicable once the Treaty has entered into force. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization’s (CTBTO) experts are confident that their system can aid in the detection and identification of nuclear explosions anywhere on the planet.

In 1999, there were no certified IMS stations or facilities in place. Today the IMS is more than 85 percent complete. Currently, 275 of the IMS monitoring stations and 11 of the 16 radionuclide laboratories have been certified. These facilities are located all over the world. In addition to those facilities already certified, 20 facilities are undergoing testing and 19 are under construction. Of the 40 noble gas systems planned for operation by entry into force of the Treaty, 30 have been installed, 14 of which have been certified.

The IMS uses four technologies to support the CTBT.

The IMS stations provide generally uniform coverage across the globe. The system is designed to be non-discriminatory and does not single out any country or region for enhanced monitoring.

Current Status of the CTBT International Monitoring System (IMS)

“Planned” stations are those listed in Annex 1 to the Protocol on which the construction contract is under negotiation or has not yet begun. Stations “Under Construction” are those on which installation work has started. Once an IMS station has been installed, it undergoes a period of “testing” to demonstrate that the station meets technical specifications and can supply data reliably to the International Data Centre (IDC). A station that successfully completes this test stage is then “certified.”