WORLDWIDE TESTING IN AUGUST
AUGUST 1ST
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 3,802.4 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Teak’ detonated atop a Redstone missile 47 miles (76km) above Johnston Island at 10:50 GMT with a yield of 3.8 megatons from the LANL device, a W-39, as part of a high altitude weapons effects test during Operation Newsreel. 151st U.S. test. Coordinates: 16.7439, -169.5333.
Side Note: A programming failure caused ‘Teak’ to detonate directly above the island instead of six miles to the south as planned. ‘Teak’ was intended to study the effects of x-rays on other warheads, develop scaling laws for effects based upon distance and study the effects it had on disrupting radio communications. Within ten milliseconds of detonation, the fireball was 10 miles across, at one second over 40 miles. Radio communications were disrupted for eight hours after detonation. The first transmission received at Johnston Island hours after the detonation was the query, "Are you still there?"
1962 - ‘149’ detonated 1,410 feet (420m) above Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 2.4 kilotons after being air-dropped. 144th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
AUGUST 2ND
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 3 (8 devices)
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 316 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘Joe 16’ detonated 8 feet (2.5m) above Semipalatinsk at 03:00 GMT with a yield of 12 kilotons from the RDS-9 weapons development device. 20th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.372, 77.825.
1970 - ‘Orion’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,300 feet (400m) above Frigate Zone, Fangataufa Atoll at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 72 kilotons. 38th French test. Coordinates: -21.78600, -138.89300.
1984 - ‘Correo’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,096 feet (334m) beneath Yucca Flat at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Fusileer, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 460 foot (140m) diameter subsidence crater. 948th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01681, -116.00853.
1987 - ‘915,’ ‘916,’ and ‘917’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 00:58 GMT with a combined yield of 72 kilotons from the three weapons development devices, causing a5.83 magnitude ground shock. 683rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.88113, 78.87414.
-- One hour and two minutes later at 02:00 GMT, ‘918,’ ‘919,’ ‘920,’ ‘921,’ and ‘922’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel 1,279 feet beneath Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya with a combined yield of 150 kilotons from the three weapons development devices, one fundamental science device, and one safety experiment, causing a 5.9 magnitude ground shock. 684th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.326, 54.602.
AUGUST 3RD
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
French tests: 2
Total Yield: 194.1 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘150 ‘ detonated 590 feet (180m) above Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 1.6 kilotons from the weapons development device. 145th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1968 - ‘Pollux’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,610 feet (490m) above Denise zone, Moruroa Atoll at 21:00 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons from the MR-41 warhead used on M1 missiles carried by the Redoutable class ballistic missile submarines. 29th French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1979 - ‘Burzet’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,480 feet (450m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 at 15:07 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Quicksilver, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 558 foot (170m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Tritium and Krypton-85 during gas sampling operations. 857th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0839, -116.07076.
1981 - ‘Agénor ‘ detonated beneath Moruroa Atoll at 18:32 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.21 magnitude ground shock. 120th French test. Coordinates: -21.87564, -138.93221.
1983 - ‘Laban’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,070 feet (326m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 13:33 GMT with a yield of 2.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Phalanx, causing a 4.2 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 164 foot (50m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 51 curies of Iodine and Xenon radionuclides during drill-back operations. 927th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11904, -116.08989.
AUGUST 4TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 4 (6 devices)
French tests: 1
Total Yield: ≈239.2 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘151’ detonated 1,280 feet (390m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 3.8 kilotons from the weapons development device. 146th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
Side Note: Ground Zero was a point on Semipalatinsk test site that was used for 118 air drop and surface nuclear detonations.
1967 - ‘282’ and ‘283’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 06:58 GMT with a combined yield of 19 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.39 magnitude ground shock. 270th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7603, 78.0555.
1967 - ‘Gibson’ detonated in a vertical shaft 790 (240m) feet beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, causing a 4.0 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 393 foot (120m) diameter subsidence crater. 509th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02431, -116.01315.
1971 - ‘Barranca’ detonated in a vertical shaft 888 feet (270m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 13:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Grommet. 676th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02606, -116.02031.
1976 - ‘518’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen, Semipalatinsk at 02:57 GMT with a yield of 0.9 kilotons (900 tons) from the weapons development device, causing a 4.2 magnitude ground shock. 447th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.87364, 77.70297.
1977 - ‘Strake’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,698 feet (517m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 16:40 GMT with a yield of 44 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Fulcrum, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 815th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08652, -116.00774.
1979 - ‘648’ and ‘649’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:56 GMT with a combined yield of 150 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 6.13 magnitude ground shock. 526th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.90467, 78.88634.
1983 - ‘Carnabon’ detonated beneath Moruroa Atoll lagoon areas 5-7 at 17:14 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.95 ground shock. 141st French test. Coordinates: -21.84785, -138.87541.
AUGUST 5TH
U.S. tests: 3 (4 devices)
Russian tests: 3
Total Yield: ≈21,271.2 kilotons.
The Details:
1955 - ‘23’ detonated 6.5 feet (2m) above the dry surface of Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 1.2 kilotons from the RDS-9 device. 21st Russian test. Coordinates: 50.372, 77.825.
1962 - ‘152’ detonated 11,800 feet (3,600m) above the Novaya Zemlya area at 09:08 GMT with a yield of 21,100 kilotons (21.1 megatons). 147th Russian test. Coordinates: 74.2, 52.5.
1966 - ‘260’ detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain Semipalatinsk at 03:57 GMT with a yield of 32 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock. 252nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7643, 78.0424.
1971 - ‘Nama-Amarylis’ and ‘Nama-Mephisto’ detonated simultaneously in separate but adjacent vertical shafts 892 feet (272m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 18:07 GMT with yields of <20 kilotons from each of the LANL and LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Grommet. 677th U.S. test.
‘Nama-Amarylis’ coordinates: 37.14503, -116.03417
‘Nama-Mephisto’ coordinates: 37.14062, -116.03214.
1981 -‘Havarti’ detonated in a vertical shaft 660 feet (200m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 13:41 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Guardian. 890th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15369, -116.03594.
1982 - ‘Atrisco’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,099 feet (639m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 138 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Praetorian, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock and leaving a subsidence crater 1,049 feet (320m) across. 909th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08458, -116.00705.
Side Note: On the island of Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands, the first deliverable nuclear bomb was being assembled and prepared for loading into a specially designed B-29 bomber known as the Enola Gay, named for the mother of the pilot, Colonel Paul Tibbets.
'Little Boy' was a uranium fueled gun-type weapon using two sub-critical masses of highly enriched U-235 that when joined together by firing a hollow cylinder of rings made of 85 pounds of U-235 into a solid cylinder of rings made of 56 pounds of U-235 would create a super-critical mass and begin an uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction.
AUGUST 6TH
U.S. tests: 4
French tests: 1
Total Yield: ≈627 kilotons.
The Details:
1945 – ‘Little Boy’ detonated 1,902 feet (580m) above Hiroshima, Japan at 08:16 local time with a yield of 15 kilotons from the uranium fueled gun-type device during Project Alberta, destroying most of the city and instantly killing an estimated 80,000 human beings, probably many more. Coordinates: 34.39140, 132.45810.
Side Note: ‘Little Boy’ was not considered to be a nuclear test. Scientists knew the device would work. It was the first tactical use of a nuclear weapon in the anger of war. However, the bombing of Hiroshima can be seen as weapons effects test. Hiroshima had been selected as a target as it was relatively unscathed and scientists and military personnel were interested in what destruction resulted. There is not enough paper to fully understand and appreciate what happened that morning.
1958 - ‘Quince’ detonated 3 feet (1m) above the dry surface of Runit Island at Eniwetok Atoll at 02:15 GMT with no yield (a fizzle) from the LLNL weapons development device, an XW-51, during Operation Hardtack. ‘Quince’ had a predicted yield of 22 kilotons. 152nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.54828, 162.35079.
1965 - ‘Mauve’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,053 feet (321m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:23 GMT with a yield of 18 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, leaving a 524 foot (160m) diameter subsidence crater. 424th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01771, -116.04089.
1970 - ‘Toucan’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,600 feet (500m) above Dindon Zone, Moruroa Atoll at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 594 kilotons. 39th French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1971 - ‘Baltic’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,350 feet (411m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 14:31 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Grommet. 678th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13843, -116.04182.
AUGUST 7TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 2 (3 devices)
Total Yield: 42.9 kilotons.
The Details:
1957 - ‘Stokes’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,510 feet (460m) above Yucca Flat area B7 at 12:25 GMT with a yield of 19 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, an XW-30, during Operation Plumbbob, spewing 2.8 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 99th U.S. test. 37.0866, -116.0245.
Side Notes:
- The W-30 device was used in the Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition (TADM) and Talos SAM warhead.
- Lawrence Scott, a Quaker from Chicago, had organized “a peaceful demonstration against the senseless folly” of nuclear tests. The prior day, August 6, Scott and 10 others were discovered in the restricted area of the test site and were arrested and charged with trespassing. Released prior to the detonation, Scott and others were knelt in prayer at the entrance to the test site when ‘Stokes’ was detonated.
It was Scott who sparked meetings that created the Committee for a SANE Nuclear Policy (SANE) and the Committee for Nonviolent Action (CNVA), although he would devote his energies to the mostly Quaker CNVA. Scott advocated nonviolent action in lieu of civil disobedience by initiating vigils. The vigil concept combined older notions of religious witness with newer ideas of nonviolent action. Vigils also appealed to a far wider group by eschewing civil disobedience and the resulting arrests.
1962 - ‘153’ detonated on the surface of Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at 03:00 GMT with a yield of 9.9 kilotons. 148th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.456, 77.773.
1975 - ‘483’ and ‘484’ detonated simultaneously in separate but adjacent tunnels within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:57 GMT with a combined yield of 14 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 425th Russian test. Coordinates:
‘483’ coordinates: 49.8038, 78.1234
‘484’ coordinates: 49.80319, 78.12254.
AUGUST 8TH
U.S. tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 24 kilotons.
The Details:
1971 - ‘Phoebé’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 750 feet (230m) above Denise zone, Moruroa Atoll at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the weapons development device, a TN-60 missile warhead. 43rd French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1979 - ‘Offshore’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,301 feet (396m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Quicksilver, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 690 foot (210m) diameter subsidence crater. 858th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0147, -116.00887.
AUGUST 9TH
U.S. tests: 2 (4 devices)
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: ≈44.35 kilotons.
The Details:
1945 – ‘Fat Man’ detonated 1,902 feet (503m) over the Urakami Valley, Nagasaki at 11:02 local time with a yield of 22 kilotons from the plutonium fueled implosion device during Project Alberta, destroying most of the valley and instantly killing over 80,000 human beings with thousands more to follow from radiation poisoning. Coordinates: 32.77020, 129.86570.
Side Note: 20 U.S., Dutch, and British prisoners of war were also killed at Nagasaki.
1968 - ‘Imp’ detonated in a vertical shaft 585 feet (178m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 13:00 GMT with a yield of 0.35 kilotons (350 tons) from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, causing a 3.5 magnitude ground shock, leaving a subsidence crater 98 feet (30m) in diameter and venting 4,200 curies of radionuclides from surface ground zero fissures over a period of 2-1/2 days. These included Krypton-87 & 88, Rubidium-88, Iodine-131, 133, & 135, Xenon-133, 135 & 138, and Cesium-138. 557th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16176, -116.07808.
1972 - ‘Cebolla,’ Cuchillo,’ and ‘Solano’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 13:31 GMT with yields of <5 kilotons from each of the three LANL devices during Operation Toggle. ‘Cebolla,’ and ‘Cuchillo’ were weapons development devices, ‘Solano’ was a safety experiment. ‘Cebolla’ vented radioactive Iodine and Xenon during drill-back operations. 708th U.S. test.
‘Cebolla’ coordinates: 37.00717, -116.01976, Depth: 942 feet (287m), Yield: <5 kilotons.
‘Cuchillo’ coordinates: 37.00373, -116.01982, Depth: 652 feet (198m), Yield: <5 kilotons.
‘Solano’ coordinates: 37.00315, -116.01757, Depth: Unspecified, Yield: <5 kilotons.
1978 - ‘Kraton-4’ detonated 1,840 feet (560m) beneath Sakha, Russia at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 22 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock. 490th Russian test. Coordinates: 63.678, 125.522.
AUGUST 10TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 3 (8 devices)
Total Yield: ≈589.5 kilotons.
The Details:
1957 - ‘Saturn’ detonated in a tunnel 128 feet (39m) beneath Rainier Mesa at 00:59 GMT with zero yield from the LLNL device, an XW-45, as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Plumbbob. 100th U.S. test. Coordinates: 3737.19355, -116.20059.
Side Note: ‘Saturn’ was the first tunnel test in Rainier Mesa.
1962 - ‘154’ detonated 5,120 feet (1,560m) above Novaya Zemlya at 09:00 GMT with a yield of 400 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 149th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1966 - ‘Rovena’ detonated in a vertical shaft 640 feet (195m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 13:16 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Latchkey, leaving a 114 foot (35m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 2 curies of Xenon over a period of 20 hours during drill-back operations. 470th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16864, -116.04862.
1967 - ‘Washer’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,533 feet (467) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 14:10 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, venting Xenon during drill-back operations. 510th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15665, -116.04815.
1977 - ‘Meteorit-5’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,610 feet (490m) beneath Zabaykalsky, Russia at 22:00 GMT with a yield of 8.5 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 464th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.955, 110.983.
1978 - ‘587,’ ‘588,’ ‘589,’ ‘590,’ ‘591,’ and ‘592’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel 1,600 feet (500m) beneath Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 07:58 GMT with a combined yield of 180 kilotons from the six devices, causing a 6.04 magnitude ground shock and venting 70 curies of radionuclides. ‘587’ through ‘591’ were weapons development devices and ‘592’ a fundamental science device. 491st Russian test. Coordinates: 73.291, 54.883.
AUGUST 11TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 23.5 kilotons.
The Details:
1982 - ‘Queso’ detonated in a vertical shaft 709 feet (216m)beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Praetorian. 910th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.18979, -116.04768.
1983 - ‘Sabado’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,050 feet (320m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Phalanx, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock. 928th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.99770, -116.00270.
1984 – ‘Kvarts-2’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,490 feet (760m) beneath Komi, Russia at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 8.5 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding experiment. 642nd Russian test. Coordinates: 65.05, 55.1.
AUGUST 12TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 4
Total Yield: 4,227.3 kilotons.
The Details:
1953 - ‘Joe 4’ detonated atop a 100 foot (30m) tower at Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 400 kilotons from the RDS-6s device, Russia’s first thermonuclear device using the "sloika" layer-cake method of surrounding the primary device with layers of lithium-6 deuteride and tampers. 4th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.43, 77.83.
1958 - ‘Orange’ detonated at an altitude of 28.3 miles (45.5 kilometers) 30 miles south of Johnston Island atop a Redstone rocket at 10:38 GMT with a yield of 3.8 megatons from the LANL W-39 thermonuclear warhead during Operation Newsreel, a sub-operation of Operation Hardtack, as part of a weapons effects test. 153rd U.S. test.
Launch coordinates: 16.35830, -169.53560.
Detonation coordinates: 16.3583, -169.5356
Side Note: ‘Orange’ was the second high altitude detonation of W-39 thermonuclear device to determine the effects it had on nuclear warheads and reentry vehicles in space and ground radar and radio systems. 1,900 kilotons of the yield from ‘Orange’ was from fission. (See August 1 for ‘Teak.’)
1963 - ‘Pekan’ detonated in a vertical shaft 991 feet (302m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 23:45 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device as the first test of Operation Niblick, leaving a 495 foot 151m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 1.1 million curies of mixed radionuclides during drill-back operations. 332nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04164, -116.01644.
1966 - ‘Tangerine’ detonated in a vertical shaft 288 feet (87m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:36 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a safety test during Operation Latchkey. 471st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04629, -116.03007.
1975 - ‘Gorizont-4’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,640 feet (500m) beneath Sakha, Russia at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 7.6 kilotons as part of a seismic-sounding test, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 426th Russian test. Coordinates: 70.76367, 126.95232.
1979 - ‘Kimberlit-4’ detonated in a vertical shaft 3,220 feet (980m) beneath Sakha, Russia at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 8.5 kilotons as part of a seismic-sounding test, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock. 527th Russian test. Coordinates: 61.803, 122.43.
1987 - ‘Neva 2-3’ detonated 2,736 feet (834m) beneath Yakutia, Russia at 01:30 GMT with a yield of 3.2 kilotons as part of an oil stimulation test, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 684th Russian test. Coordinates: 61.45, 112.8.
AUGUST 13TH
U.S. tests: 1
Total Yield: 150 kilotons.
The Details:
1987 - ‘Tahoka’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,095 feet (638m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Musketeer, causing a 5.9 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 951 foot (290m) diameter subsidence crater. 1,000th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.06091, -116.04618.
AUGUST 14TH
U.S. tests: 3 (4 devices)
Russian tests: 2 (4 devices)
French tests: 2
Total Yield: ≈1,071.2 kilotons.
The Details:
1969 - ‘Spider-A’ and ‘Spider-B’ detonated simultaneously in separate but adjacent vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 14:30 GMT with yields of 1 kiloton from each of the two LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Mandrel, leaving 23 foot (7m) and 98 foot (30m) diameter subsidence craters respectively, and venting 2 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 605th U.S. test.
‘Spider-A’ coordinates: 37.1602, -116.06448, depth of burial: 680 feet (207m)
‘Spider-B’ coordinates: 37.1582, -116.06467, depth of burial: 699 feet (213m)
1971 - ‘Rhéa’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,570 feet (480m) above Dindon Zone, Moruroa Atoll at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 955 kilotons from the TN-60 warhead, causing a 4.65 magnitude ground shock from the blast wave. 44th French test. Coordinates: -21.823, -138.976.
1974 - ‘Scorpion’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,024 feet (312m) above Dindon Zone, Moruroa Atoll with a yield of 96 kilotons from the weapons development device. 61st French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1974 - ‘Puye’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,411 feet (430m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bedrock, venting Iodine-131 and Xenon-133 during drill-back and cement-back operations. 755th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02342, -116.03713.
1974 - ‘Gorizont-2’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,800 feet (550m) beneath Yamalo-Nenets, Russia at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 7.6 kilotons as part of a seismic-sounding test, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 405th Russian test. Coordinates: 68.903, 75.823.
1981 - ‘733,’ ‘734,’ and 735’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:27 GMT with a combined yield of 5.6 kilotons from the three weapons development devices, causing a 4.88 magnitude ground shock. 575th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7587, 78.0565.
1985 - ‘Cebrero’ detonated in a vertical shaft 600 feet (183m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 13:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Grenadier, venting Tritium and Krypton during gas sampling activities. 966th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11103, -116.01525.
AUGUST 15TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 13.3 kilotons.
The Details:
1963 - ‘Satsop’ detonated in a vertical shaft 738 feet (225m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 13:00 GMT with a yield of 3 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Niblick, leaving a 295 foot (90m) diameter subsidence crater. 333rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15407, -116.07756.
1968 - ‘Rack’ detonated in a vertical shaft 655 feet (199m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, causing a 3.9 magnitude ground shock and venting 10 curies of radiation during gas sampling and drill-back operations. 558th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12373, -116.0491.
1973 - ‘Meridian-3’ detonated 2,000 feet (610m) beneath South Kazakhstan at 02:00 GMT with a yield of 6.3 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test. 383rd Russian test. Coordinates: 42.775, 67.408.
1991 - ‘Floydada’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,650 feet (502m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 3 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Sculpin, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock. 1,044th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08729, -116.00266.
AUGUST 16TH
U.S. tests: 2 (3 devices)
Russian tests: 1
Chinese tests: 1
Total Yield: ≈199.1 kilotons.
The Details:
1972 - ‘405’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:16 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 5.11 magnitude ground shock. 365th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7655, 78.0588.
1977 - ‘Gruyere’ and ‘Gruyere-Gradino’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft at differing depths beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 14:41 GMT with differing yields from the two LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Fulcrum, causing a 3.7 magnitude ground shock. 816th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14512, -116.04996.
‘Gruyere’ – Depth of burial: 679.0 feet (206m) Yield: <20 kilotons.
‘Gruyere-Gradino’ – Depth of burial: 1,050 feet (320m), Yield: 0.6 kilotons (600 tons).
-- One hour and five minutes later at 15:49 GMT, ‘Flotost’ detonated 902 feet (275m) beneath Yucca Flat area U-2 with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, causing a 4.0 magnitude ground shock and venting 3 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 817th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14669, -116.06402.
1990 - A nuclear device, probably a JL-1 SLBM warhead, detonated beneath Area C of the Lop Nor Test Site in China at 04:59 GMT with a yield of 189 kilotons, causing a 6.2 magnitude ground shock. 37th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.54298, 88.73356.
AUGUST 17TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
Chinese tests: 1
Total Yield: 246 kilotons.
The Details:
1977 - ‘545’ detonated in a tunnel with Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:26 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons, causing a 5.01 magnitude ground shock from the weapons development device. 465th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.82615, 78.12007.
1985 - ‘Chamita’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,088 feet (331m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:25 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Grenadier, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 360 foot diameter subsidence crater. 967th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00227, -116.04402.
1988 - ‘Kearsarge’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,020 feet (615) beneath Pahute Mesa area U19 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 140 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Touchstone, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock. 1,013th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.2971, -116.30742.
1995 - A nuclear device detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Lop Nor, Area C at 00:59 GMT with a yield of 90 kilotons as part of a safety test of a Dong Feng-31 warhead, causing a 6.0 magnitude ground shock. 45th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.53983, 88.75255.
AUGUST 18TH
U.S. tests: 4
Russian tests: 5 (10 devices)
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 419.29 kilotons.
The Details:
1957 - ‘Shasta’ detonated atop a 500 foot (150m) tower on Yucca Flat at 12:00 GMT with a yield of 17 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, a two-stage thermonuclear device, during Operation Plumbbob, spewing 2.5 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 101st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.128, -116.1073.
1958 - ‘Fig’ detonated 1.5 feet (0.5m) above the dry surface of Runit Island on Eniwetok Atoll at 04:00 GMT with a yield of 0.02 kilotons (20 tons) from the LLNL device, an XW-51 warhead, during the last test of Operation Hardtack I. It was also the last atmospheric detonation conducted at Eniwetok Atoll. 154th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.54955, 162.34879.
1962 - ‘155’ detonated 2,330 feet (710m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 7.4 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 150th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8
-- On the same day at an unspecified time, ‘156’ detonated 1,020 feet (310m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk with a yield of 5.8 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 151st Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1964 - ‘233’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 0.07 kilotons (70 tons) from the weapons development device, causing a 3.27 magnitude ground shock. 226th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.82191, 78.08077.
1967 - ‘Bordeaux’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,089 feet (332m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 20:12 GMT with a yield of 18 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 521 foot (159m) diameter subsidence crater. 511th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01219, -116.03717.
1971 - ‘Algodones’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,731 feet (527m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 67 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Grommet, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 856 foot (261m) diameter subsidence crater. 679th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.05715, -116.0372.
1973 - ‘Pallas’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 890 feet (270m) above Denise zone, Moruroa Atoll at 18:15 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the weapons development TN-60 device. 51st French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1979 - ‘651’ and ‘652’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 02:51 GMT with a combined yield of 150 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 6.13 magnitude ground shock. 528th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.9485, 78.9185.
1983 - ‘805,’ ‘806,’ ‘807,’ ‘808,’ and ‘809’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel beneath Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 16:09:58 GMT with a combined yield of 150 kilotons from the five devices; three weapons development, one peaceful research, and one safety test. 624th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.354, 54.974.
AUGUST 19TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 134.6 kilotons.
The Details:
1964 - ‘Alva’ detonated in a vertical shaft 545 feet (166m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 4.4 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, leaving a 250 foot (76m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 6,400 curies of Iodine-131 and Xenon-133 from the line-of-sight pipe and shaft area for a period of 3.5 days after detonation and for 5.4 days during drill-back operations which were detected as far away as St. George, Utah. 377th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15902, -116.08402.
1966 - ‘261’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:52 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons as part of a peaceful research application, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 253rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8271, 78.1088.
1977 - ‘Scupper’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,475 feet (449m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:32 GMT with a yield of 0.2 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Fulcrum, causing a 3.3 magnitude ground shock. 818th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01757, -116.03248.
-- 23 minutes later at 17:55 GMT, ‘Scantling’ detonated 2,300 feet (701m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 with a yield of 120 kilotons, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock and leaving a subsidence crater 853 feet (260m) in diameter. 819th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.10997, -116.05567.
AUGUST 20TH
Russian tests: 4 (5 devices)
Total Yield: 2,819.701 kilotons.
The Details:
1962 - ‘157’ detonated 8,200 feet (2,500m) above the Sukhoy Nos test area over the Barents Sea northeast of Novaya Zemlya at 09:02 GMT with a yield of 2,800 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 152nd Russian test. Coordinates: 74.3, 51.5.
1968 - ‘304’ (a weapons development device) and ‘305’ (a safety test device) detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:05 GMT with yields of 4.6 and 0.001 kilotons respectively, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock. 288th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8226, 78.0774.
1972 - ‘Region-3’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,610 feet (490 m) beneath West Kazakhstan at 03:00 GMT with a yield of 6.6 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock. 366th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.4, 48.142.
1977 - ‘Meteorit-3’ detonated 2,000 feet (600m) beneath the Krasnoyarsk area of Russia at 22:00 GMT with a yield of 8.5 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 466th Russian test. Coordinates: 64.108, 99.558.
AUGUST 21ST
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 23.25 kilotons.
The Details:
1962 - ‘158’ detonated 1,940 feet (590m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 23 kilotons from the weapons development device. 153rd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.800000.
1965 - ‘ Ticking’ detonated in a vertical shaft 690 feet (210m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 13:43 GMT with a yield of 0.25 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, causing a 3.4 magnitude ground shock and venting 2,600 curies of radioactive iodine and xenon during drill-back operations. 425th U.S. detonation. Coordinates: 37.11258, -116.02689.
AUGUST 22ND
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 5
British tests: 1
Total Yield: 2,186 kilotons.
The Details:
1957 - ‘44’ detonated 6,170 feet (1,880m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at 06:30 GMT with a yield of 520 kilotons from the weapons development thermonuclear device after being air-dropped. 41st Russian test. Coordinates: 50.42, 77.78.
1958 - ‘Grapple-Z/Pennant-2’ detonated underneath tethered balloons 1,480 feet (450m) above Christmas Island at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 24 kilotons from the weapons development device. 18th British test. Coordinates: 1.72934, -157.21065.
1962 - ‘159’ detonated 5,600 feet (1,700m) above Mityushikha Bay, Novaya Zemlya at 09:00 GMT with a yield of 1,600 kilotons from the weapons development thermonuclear device after being air-dropped, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock. 154th Russian test. Coordinates: 74, 53.3.
-- Later this day at an unspecified time, ‘160’ detonated 200 feet (60m) above Novaya Zemlya with a yield of 6 kilotons from a KSR-2 air-launched cruise missile warhead. 155th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
-- At some unspecified time the same day, ‘161’ detonated 2,430 feet (740m) over Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk with a yield of 3 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 156th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1964 - ‘ Canvasback’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,468 feet (447m) below Yucca Flat area U3 at 22:17 GMT with a yield of 18 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, venting 2,000 curies of Iodine-131 and Xeno-133 during drill-back operations. 378th U.S. detonation. Coordinates: 37.06529, -116.01631.
1988 - ‘Rubin-2’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,720 feet (830m) beneath Yamalo-Nenets, Russia at 16:20 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock. 699th Soviet detonation. Coordinates: 66.28, 78.491.
AUGUST 23RD
U.S. tests: 3 (5 devices)
Russian tests: 4 (12 devices)
Total Yield: ≈1,145.2 kilotons.
The Details:
1953 - ‘Joe-5’ detonated 2,000 feet (600m) above Semipalatinsk at 02:00 GMT with a yield of 28 kilotons after the RDS-4 device was air-dropped during a test of the first production tactical weapon. 5th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1957 - ‘Doppler’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,510 feet (460m) above Yucca Flat area B7 at 12:30 GMT with a yield of 11 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, a gas-boosted warhead, during Operation Plumbbob, spewing 1.7 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 102nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0866, -116.0245.
1962 - ‘162’ detonated 2,230 feet (680m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 2.5 kilotons. 157th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1963 - ‘Kohocton’ and ‘Natches’ detonated simultaneously in separate but adjacent vertical shafts 835 feet (254m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 13:20 GMT with yields of <20 kilotons from each of the two LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Niblick, venting 3,000 curies of Iodine’s and Xenon’s from the ‘Kohocton’ post-shot drill hole and ground zero cables for a period of 15 hours. 334th U.S. test.
‘Kohocton’ coordinates: 37.12492, -116.03626.
‘Natches’ coordinates: 37.12492, -116.03612.
1975 - ‘486’, ‘487’, ‘488’, ‘489’, ‘490’, ‘491’, ‘492’ and ‘493’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel beneath Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 08:59 GMT with a combined yield of 1,100 kilotons from the seven devices, causing a 6.55 magnitude ground shock. 427th Russian test. ‘486’, ‘487’, ‘488’ and ‘489’ were weapons effects devices; ‘490’, ‘491’, ‘492’ and ‘493’ were weapons development devices. Coordinates: 73.334, 54.682.
1982 - ‘769’ and ‘770’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:43:06 GMT with a combined yield of 1.7 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 4.44 magnitude ground shock. 593rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7473, 78.0331.
1988 - ‘Harlingen-A’ and ‘Harlingen-B’ detonated simultaneously in separate adjacent shafts 950 feet (289m) beneath Yucca Flat area U6 at 18:30 GMT with yields of 2 kilotons from ‘Harlingen-A’ and <20 kilotons from ‘Harlingen-B’ during Operation Touchstone with ‘Harlingen-A’ leaving a 295 foot (90m) diameter subsidence crater. Both were LANL weapons development devices. 1,014th U.S. test.
‘Harlingen-A’ coordinates: 36.99113, -116.01887
‘Harlingen-B’ coordinates: 36.98868, -116.01876.
AUGUST 24TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 2
French tests: 3
Total Yield: 2,670.78 kilotons.
The Details:
1956 - ‘28’ detonated atop a 305 foot (93m) tower at Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk test site at 00:15 GMT with a yield of 27 kilotons from the weapons development device. 28th Russian. Coordinates: 50.456, 77.773.
1962 - ‘York’ detonated in a vertical shaft 743 feet (226m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Storax, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 492 foot (150m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 120,000 curies of radioactive xenon for 30 hours during drill-back operations. 274th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11866, -116.04022.
-- Two hours later, ‘Bobac’ detonated in a vertical shaft 676 feet (206m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 2.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Storax, causing a 4.2 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 393 foot (206m) diameter subsidence crater and venting a small amount of radioactive iodine around surface ground zero. 275th U.S test. Coordinates: 37.04613, -116.02453.
1967 - ‘Lexington’ detonated in a vertical shaft 747 feet (227m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 13:30 GMT with a yield of 0.8kt from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, causing a 3.8 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 164 foot (50m) subsidence crater and venting 1,100 curies of krypton and xenon during gas sampling and drill-back operations. 512th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16266, -116.07504.
1968 - ‘Canopus’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,710 feet (520m) above Fangataufa Atoll at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 2.6 megatons from France’s first 2-stage thermonuclear device, causing a 4.95 magnitude ground shock. ‘Canopus’ used a lithium-6 deuteride secondary jacketed with HEU that caused such massive fission contamination of Fangataufa that it lay unused for the next six years. 30th French test. -22.228, -138.644.
1973 - ‘Parthénope detonated beneath a tethered balloon 720 feet (220m) above Dindon zone, Moruroa Atoll at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 0.2 kilotons from the weapons development device. 52nd French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1974 - ‘Taurue’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 890 feet (270m) above Denise zone, Moruroa Atoll at 23:45 GMT with a yield of 14 kilotons from the weapons development device. 62nd French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1978 - ‘Kraton-3’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,893 feet (577m) beneath Sakha, Russia at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 22 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock and venting unspecified amounts of radionuclides. 492nd Russian test. Coordinates: 65.925, 112.338.
AUGUST 25TH
Russian tests: 3
Total Yield: 10,009.5 kilotons. >10 megatons.
1962 - ‘159’ detonated 2,346 feet (715m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at 05:40 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 163rd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
-- Later that day at 09:00 GMT, ‘158’ detonated 9,780 feet (2,980m) above Novaya Zemlya with a yield of 10 megatons from the weapons development thermonuclear device. 164th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1984 - ‘Kvarts-3’ detonated 2,378 feet (725m) beneath Khanti-Mansi, Russia at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 8.5 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock. 643rd Russian test. Coordinates: 61.9, 72.1.
AUGUST 26TH
Russian tests: 3
British tests: 1
Total Yield: 72.7 kilotons.
The Details:
1957 - ‘45’ detonated 1,350 feet (410m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk test site at an unspecified time with a yield of 0.1 kilotons (100 tons) as part of a safety test. 42nd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1972 - ‘367’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen, Semipalatinsk at 03:46 GMT with a yield of 21 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.36 magnitude ground shock. 367th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.98233, 77.71601.
1976 - ‘Banon’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,760 feet (536m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of 51 kilotons from the British Chevaline device during Operation Anvil, a joint US-UK operation, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 754 foot 230m) diameter subsidence crater and venting six curies of radiation during drill-back operations. 28th British test. Coordinates: 37.125199, -116.083193.
1984 - ‘Dynamika’ detonated in a tunnel at Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya, Russia at 03:30 GMT with a yield of 0.6 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 3.8 magnitude ground shock. 644th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.4, 54.8.
AUGUST 27TH
U.S. tests: 9
Russian tests: 3
Total Yield: 4,264.01 kilotons.
The Details:
1957 - ‘Pascal-B’ detonated in an unstemmed vertical shaft 490 feet (150m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 22:35 GMT with a yield of 0.3 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Plumbbob. 103rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04903, -116.0347.
Side Note: ‘Pascal-B’ was an unstemmed shot, meaning that the vertical shaft was not back-filled with sand, gravel and epoxy as most shots were to contain blast and other effects from escape. It was to be a safety test with a predicted yield of 1-2 pounds and engineers felt no stemming was needed. Aside from a concrete collimator 6.5 feet (2m) thick and nearly 3 feet (1m) in diameter that had been lowered into the shaft, the top of the shaft pipe was covered with a 4 inch (100mm) thick steel plate weighing 2,000 pounds. Like ‘Pascal A’ the yield of ‘Pascal-B’ far exceeded predicted yield by a factor of 300,000. The concrete collimator was destroyed by the heat and blast rising up the shaft and 33 milliseconds after detonation the steel plate was launched either into space or burnt up in the atmosphere because of its estimated velocity of 22 miles per second (36km/s), roughly 6 times the escape velocity required. The plate has never been found.
1958 - ‘Argus I’ was detonated 124 miles (200km) above the South Atlantic Ocean atop a Lockheed X-17A three-stage missile at 02:28 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LANL W-25 nuclear device after being launched from a ship during Operation Argus, a series of three clandestine space detonations to study the effects of nuclear detonations on the Van Allen radiation belt and how charged particles affected military communications. 157th U.S. test. Coordinates: -38.5, -11.5.
1962 - ‘165’ detonated 9,840 feet (3,000m) above SNTS Area C north of Novaya Zemlya at 09:00 GMT with a yield of 4,200 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock. 160th Russian test. Coordinates: 74.7, 50.3.
1962 - ‘166’ detonated 804 feet (245m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk test site at an unspecified time with a yield of 11 kilotons from the weapons development device. 161st Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1964 - ‘Player’ detonated in a vertical shaft 300 feet (91m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Whetstone. 379th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11731, -116.04153.
1965 - ‘Centaur’ detonated in a vertical shaft 564 feet (171m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 13:15 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, leaving a 66 foot (20m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 57 curies of iodine and xenon from surface ground zero over a period of 10 minutes and 1.5 hours during drill-back operations. 426th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13729, -116.07097.
1968 - ‘Diana Moon’ detonated in a vertical shaft 794 feet (242m) beneath Frenchman Flat area U11 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of 9 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Bowline, leaving a 331 foot diameter subsidence crater and venting 12,000 curies of radioactive iodine and xenon at surface ground zero for 14 minutes and then again for over 8 hours. 559th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.87718, -115.93195.
1969 - ‘Pliers’ detonated in a vertical shaft 784 feet (238m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 13:45 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 403 foot (123m) diameter subsidence crater and venting radiation for over five hours from surface ground zero area. 606th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02146, -116.03884.
-- At the same instant, ‘Horehound’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,088 feet (331m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel. 607th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.99267, -115.99637.
1981 - ‘Islay’ detonated in a vertical shaft 965 feet (294m) beneath Yucca Flat at 14:31 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Guardian, leaving a 328 foot (100m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 700 curies of xenon during drill-back operations when the drilling mud “kill” line was opened. 891st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16038, -116.06743.
1983 - ‘Jarlsberg’ detonated in a vertical shaft 660 feet (200m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 4.1 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Phalanx, causing a 4.1 magnitude ground shock. 929th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.19289, -116.03491.
1984 - ‘849’ and ‘850’ detonated simultaneously in tunnels 590 feet (180m) and 524 feet (160m) beneath Murmansk, Russia at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 1.7 kilotons from each device as part of an ore crushing experiment, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock. 645th Russian test. Coordinates: 67.75, 33.
AUGUST 28TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 5 (8 devices)
French tests: 1
Total Yield: ≈1,192.3 kilotons.
The Details:
1964 - ‘Haddock’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,193 feet (363m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:06 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device. 380th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.06699, -116.02304.
1972 - ‘408,’ ‘409,’ ‘410’ and ‘411’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel 3,000 feet (900m) beneath Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya, Russia at 05:59 GMT with a combined yield of 1,120 kilotons from the four weapons development devices, causing a 6.49 magnitude ground shock and venting 1 million curies of radiation. 368th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.388, 54.847.
1973 - ‘Tamara’ detonated 820 feet (250m) above Moruroa Atoll at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 6.6 kilotons from the AN-52 tactical bomb after being dropped by a French Mirage-3 jet. 53rd French test. Coordinates: -21.88862, -139.277.
1973 - ‘Meridian-1’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,300 feet (400m) beneath Karagandy, Kazakhstan at 03:00 GMT with a yield of 6.3 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 384th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.52747, 68.3214.
1976 - ‘519’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 02:57 GMT with a yield of 53 kilotons from the weapons development device. 448th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.96948, 78.93893.
1984 - ‘Geliy’ detonated in a vertical shaft 6,775 feet (2,065m) beneath the Perm area of Russia at 02:59 GMT with a yield of 3.2 kilotons as part of an oil stimulation test, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock. 646th Russian test. Coordinates: 60.3, 57.1.
-- Five minutes later at 03:04 GMT, ‘Geliy-2’ detonated in an adjacent shaft 6,808 feet (2,075m) deep with a yield of 3.2 kilotons, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock. 647th Russian test. Coordinates: 60.69531, 57.50109
AUGUST 29TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 5 (11 devices)
British tests: 1
Total Yield: 1,582.6 kilotons.
The Details:
1949 - ‘Joe-1’ detonated atop a 98 foot (30m) tower at Ground Zero on the Semipalatinsk test site at 00:00 GMT with a yield of 22 kilotons from the RDS-1 implosion device, essentially a copy of the Fat Man implosion device developed by the U.S.. This was Russia’s 1st nuclear weapon test. The detonation was given the code-name ‘Joe-1’ by the U.S. in reference to Joseph Stalin. Coordinates: 50.43794, 77.81409.
Side Note: On September 3, 1949, an Air Force meteorological WB-29 was flying between Misawa Air Base in Japan and Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The aircraft was equipped with scoop filters that collected samples of particulate matter in the atmosphere. When tested the filters showed evidence of radioactive debris. Subsequent sampling flights confirmed radioactive debris and laboratory analysis determined that the Soviet Union had effectively tested a nuclear weapon.
1968 - ‘Sled’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,391 feet (728m) beneath Pahute Mesa are U19 at 22:45 GMT with a yield of 200 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, causing a 5.9 magnitude ground shock. 560th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.25028, -116.34777.
1974 - ‘457,’ ‘458,’ ‘459,’ ‘460’ and ‘461’ detonated simultaneously within the same tunnel 3,280 feet (1,000m) beneath Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya, Russia at 09:59 GMT with a combined yield of 1,200 kilotons from the five weapons development devices, causing a 6.58 magnitude ground shock and venting 4,900 curies of radiation. 406th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.397, 54.905.
-- Later the same day, ‘Gorizont-1’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,940 feet (590m) beneath Komi, Russia at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 7.6 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 407th Russian test. Coordinates: 67.08500
1978 - ‘594’ ‘595’ and ‘596’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:37 GMT with a combined yield of 14 kilotons from ‘594’ and ‘595’ (weapons development devices) and 0.001 kilotons from ‘596’ (safety test), causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 493rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8074, 78.1091.
-- Eight seconds later, ‘597’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk with a yield of 119 kilotons, causing a 5.9 magnitude ground shock. 494th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.00965, 78.96669.
1979 - ‘Nessel’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,521 feet (464m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:08 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the British weapons development device during Operation Quicksilver, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 623 foot (190m) diameter subsidence crater. 31st British test.
AUGUST 30TH
U.S. tests: 6
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 1,139.2 kilotons.
The Details:
1956 - ‘32’ detonated 3,600 feet (1,100m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 900 kilotons from the thermonuclear device after being air-dropped. 29th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.42, 77.78.
1957 - ‘Franklin Prime’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 750 feet (230m) above Yucca Flat area B7 at 12:39 GMT with a yield of 4.7 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Plumbbob, venting 690,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. This was a re-test of the ‘Franklin’ device which fizzled on June 2. Additional U-235 was added to the device for this test. 104th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0866, -116.0245.
1958 - ‘Argus II’ detonated atop a three-stage rocket 310 miles (190km) above the South Atlantic at 03:18 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LANL device (W-25) after being launched from the USS Norton Sound during Operation Argus, a series of three clandestine space detonations to see the effects of nuclear detonations on the Van Allen radiation belt, how charged particles affected military communications, and attempts to create artificial radiation belts. 156th U.S. test. Coordinates: -49.5, -8.2.
1974 - ‘Portmanteau’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,150 feet (655m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 160 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Bedrock, causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 885 foot (270m) diameter subsidence crater. 756th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1524, -116.08456.
1984 - ‘Wexford’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,030 feet (314m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 14:45:00 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Fusileeer. 949th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14389, -116.12526.
-- One-tenth of a second later, ‘Dolcetto’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,198 feet (365m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during operation Fusileer, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock. 950th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08975, -116.00023.
1988 - ‘Bullfrog’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,605 feet (489m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 33 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device as the final test of Operation Touchstone, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock and venting 4 curies of Xenon, Krypton and Tritium during gas sampling and drill-back operations. 1,015th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08593, -116.06925.
2006 - ‘Unicorn’ detonated in a vertical shaft 623 feet (190m) beneath Yucca Flat area U6 with a nuclear yield of ZERO. This was a hydrodynamic test that results in no nuclear fission. 21st U.S. hydrodynamic test. Coordinates: 36.95, -116.05.
AUGUST 31ST
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 2 (3 devices)
Total Yield: 214.7 kilotons.
The Details:
1957 - ‘Smoky’ detonated atop a 690 foot (210m) steel tower on Yucca Flat area T2 at 12:30 GMT with a yield of 44 kilotons from the LLNL 2-stage thermonuclear device during Operation Plumbbob, spewing 6.4 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere and irradiating 3,224 military personnel, many who later developed leukemia or other cancers. 105th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.18712, -116.06887.
Side Notes: ‘Smoky’ was a very dirty test; the vaporized tower would create heavy fallout at ground zero and in the area of military troop maneuvers. At detonation, troops reported they could see their bones of their hand as if in an X-Ray and the nerves in the back of their eyes even though covered with their arms when ‘Smokey’ detonated. Many reported a metallic smell and taste, most likely from the tons of vaporized tower steel. Some of the 3,224 troops were in trenches as close as 2.2 miles from ground zero and rose up afterwards to begin the march towards ground zero. Four minutes after detonation two technicians drove a truck towards ground zero to retrieve neutron and gamma detectors located a mile from the hypocenter. The entire area was filled with a dense haze that reduced visibility. Driving through the heavy mist they watched as their Geiger counter needle began to climb. Four miles from ground zero the radiation level was over 50 roentgens per hour and they turned around and beat a hasty retreat. Radiation at ground zero was found to be 300 roentgens. Regardless, troops either marched or were loaded onto trucks to inspect damage to equipment 2,000 feet from ground zero. They were met with an unworldly scene with thick haze thousands of feet high. There was no life at all; no insects, animals or vegetation, just the green glass crunching under their boots and Joshua trees on the surrounding hills in the basin burning. Army officer Lt. Col Frank W. Keating marched his troops to within 300 feet of ground zero to stop, stand at attention, and salute what was left of the melted tower. He later stated in Congressional testimony that “…we went right in there.” A 1980 study of the military participants found a significantly elevated number of leukemia cases, 10 when only 3 were expected.
The mushroom cloud drifted and slowly dispersed, beginning its journey across the continent dropping radionuclides as it goes. Area 2 was the last pristine air-drop location at the Nevada Test Site. Every other area was already contaminated.
1962 - ‘167’ detonated 2,300 feet (700m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk test site at an unspecified time with a yield of 2.7 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped as part of a fundamental science test. 162nd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1967 - ‘Door Mist’ detonated in a tunnel 1,430 feet (435m) beneath Rainier Mesa at 16:30 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Crosstie, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock and venting 670,000 curies of gross fission products (iodine, ruthenium, and noble gases) from cable seepage and 4 hours of uncontrolled portal venting which were detected off-site. 513th U.S. detonation. Coordinates: 37.17751, -116.20982.
1978 - ‘Panir’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,234 feet (681m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U19 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 140 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Cresset, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock. 840th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.27587, -116.35823.
1982 - ‘771’ and ‘772’ detonated simultaneously in the same shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 01:31:03 GMT with a combined yield of 8 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 594th Russian test. Coordinates: 49 49.91477, 78.76122.
