WORLDWIDE TESTING IN DECEMBER
DECEMBER 1ST
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
French tests: 2
Total yield: 13.5 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘214’ detonated 2,230 feet (680m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 2.4 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 207th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1965 - ‘Tourmaline’ detonated in a tunnel within Taourirt Tan Afella Mountain, In Ekker, French Algeria at the Oasis Military Test Center at 10:30 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the weapons development implosion device, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 16th French test. Coordinates: 24.06495, 5.0339.
1978 - ‘Concentration’ detonated in a vertical shaft 812 feet (247m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:07 GMT with a yield of 0.6 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Quicksilver, causing a 3.7 magnitude ground shock and creating a 262 foot (80m) diameter subsidence crater. 847th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02965, -116.02488.
1984 - ‘Miletos’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 16:51 GMT with a yield of 0.5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.17 magnitude ground shock. 150th French test. Coordinates: -21.8346, -138.8546.
1987 - ‘Waco’ detonated in a vertical shaft 600 feet (182m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Touchstone. 1,003rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.99636, -116.00533.
DECEMBER 2ND
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 2 (4 devices)
Total yield: 174 kilotons
The Details:
1979 - ‘672’ and ‘673’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 04:37 GMT with a yield of 93 kilotons from the two devices (one a weapons development, one a fundamental science experiment), causing a 5.99 magnitude ground shock. 540th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.91024, 78.78456.
1984 - ‘870’ and ‘871’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:19 GMT with a yield of 79 kilotons from the two devices (one a weapons development, one a fundamental science experiment), causing a 5.77 magnitude ground shock. 656th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.00967, 79.00793.
1987 - ‘Mission Cyber’ detonated in a tunnel 888 feet (270m) beneath Rainier Mesa at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the LLNL W-25 device a part of a Department of Defense horizontal line of sight (HLOS) weapons effects test during Operation Touchstone, causing a 4.1 magnitude ground shock. 1,004th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.2346, -116.16425.
DECEMBER 3RD
U.S. tests: 5 (6 devices)
Russian tests: 1 (2 devices)
French tests: 2
Total yield: 213.48 kilotons
The Details:
1961 - ‘Fisher’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,193 feet (363m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 23:04 GMT with a yield of 13.4 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device (XW-50 primary) during Operation Nougat, creating a 600 foot (183m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 500 curies in the form of visible radioactive steam from the crater and from a sampling line for two hours after detonation. The yield of ‘Fisher’ was far less than predicted due to a failure of the Zipper neutron initiator. 200th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04581, -116.02853.
1965 - ‘Corduroy’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,236 feet (681m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 15:13 GMT with a yield of 120 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, causing a 5.62 magnitude ground shock, creating a 787 foot (240m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 1,200 curies of Xenon for a period of 12 days during drill-back operations. 433rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1646, -116.05319.
1966 - ‘Sterling’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,720 feet (830m) within a cavity created by test ‘Salmon’ within the Tatum salt dome Salmon Site near Lumberton, Mississippi with a yield of 0.38 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a joint verification VELA UNIFORM test during Operation Latchkey. 480th U.S. test. Coordinates: 31.14229, -89.57001.
Side Note: The VELA UNIFORM project was to develop seismic methods for detecting underground nuclear testing, ‘Sterling’ was one of seven VELA UNIFORM tests.
1966 - ‘269’ and ‘270’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:02 GMT with a combined yield of 4.6 kilotons from the two devices, one weapons development, the other a peaceful research device, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock. 261st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7469, 78.0334.
1970 - ‘Carrizozo’ and ‘Corazon’ detonated simultaneously in adjacent vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:07 GMT with a yield of 0.1 kilotons from ‘Corazon’ and an unspecified yield from ‘Carrizozo’ - both LANL devices – during Operation Emery, causing a 3.1 magnitude ground shock. 661st U.S. test.
‘Carrizozo’ coordinates: 37.00608, -116.04079 Depth of burial: Unspecified
‘Corazon’ coordinates: 37.00202, -116.03865 Depth of burial: 791 feet (241m)
1980 - ‘Diomede’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Zoe and Yvonne Il areas of Moruroa Atoll at 17:32 GMT with a yield of 51 kilotons from the weapons development device, a TN-70 warhead, causing a 5.62 magnitude ground shock. 112th French test. Coordinates: -21.78697, -138.86437.
1981 - ‘Akavi’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,621 feet (494m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL device during Operation Praetorian, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock, creating a 557 foot (170m) diameter subsidence crater, and venting Tritium and Krypton during gas sampling operations. 897th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14838, -116.07171.
1983 - ‘Linos’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath the Zoe area rim of Moruroa Atoll at 16:58 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.73 magnitude ground shock. 142nd French test. Coordinates: -21.87465, -138.93913.
DECEMBER 4TH
U.S. tests: 2 (3 devices)
Russian tests: 1 (5 devices)
Total yield: 148.01 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Taunton’ detonated in a vertical shaft 747 feet (227m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Storax, venting 4,000 curies of Xenon over a period of eight hours during drill-back operations. 298th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12804, -116.05088.
1963 - ‘Barracuda’ and ‘Sardine’ detonated simultaneously in separate but adjacent vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:38 GMT with yields of <20 kilotons and 8 kilotons respectively from the two LANL weapons development devices during Operation Niblick, both which vented radionuclides. 347th U.S. test.
- ‘Barracuda’ coordinates: 37.04386, -116.01295. Depth of burial: 864 feet (263m). Vented 100 curies of Iodine and Xenon from surface ground zero as a test release lasting 72 hours.
- ‘ Sardine’ coordinates: 37.03959, -116.03009. Depth of burial: 860 feet (262m). Vented 30 curies of Iodine and Xenon from surface ground zero as a test release lasting nearly two hours.
1988 - ‘955’, ‘956’, ‘957’, ‘958’ and ‘959’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel 1,300 feet (400m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya, Russia at 05:19 GMT with a combined yield of 140 kilotons from the first four weapons development devices and 0.001 kilotons from the fifth device, a safety test, causing a 5.89 magnitude ground shock. 705th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.366, 55.001.
DECEMBER 5TH
U.S. tests: 3 (4 devices)
Russian tests: 3 (6 devices)
French tests: 2
Total yield: 148.01 kilotons
The Details:
1964 - ‘Crepe’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,326 feet (404m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 21:15:00.10 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock, creating a 741 foot (226m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 250 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 391st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11437, -116.05431.
- Six milliseconds later at 21:15:00:16 GMT , ‘Drill (Source-Lower)’ and ‘Drill (Target-Upper)’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft 720 feet (219m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 with a combined yield of 3.4 kilotons from the two LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Whetstone, venting 61,000 curies of fission products including Krypton, Iodine, Xenon, Cesium and Lanthanum from surface ground zero over a period of five days. The radioactive cloud was tracked as far as Yuma, Arizona. 392nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13424, -116.07062.
1969 - ‘Diesel Train’ detonated in a tunnel 1,375 feet (419m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U12 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a DoD weapons effects test during Operation Mandrel, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 622nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17992, -116.21174.
1976 – ‘Astyanax’ detonated in a shaft beneath the Edith rim zone of Moruroa Atoll at 23:00 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the weapons development device. 70th French test. Coordinates: -21.783896, -138.86997.
1980 - ‘709’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:17 GMT with a yield of 0.1 kilotons from the weapons development device, venting unspecified radiation. 561st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.74919, 78.1282.
- Sixteen seconds later at 04:17:16 GMT, ‘710’, ‘711’, and ‘712’ detonated simultaneously in another tunnel within Degelen Mountain with unspecified yields from the three weapons development devices. 562nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.83083, 78.11389.
1981 - ‘Cilix’ detonated beneath the Therese rim zone of Moruroa Atoll at 16:58 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.81 magnitude ground shock. 123rd French test. Coordinates: -21.87608, -138.85822.
1982 - ‘786’ and ‘787’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:37 GMT with a combined yield of 119 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 6.08 magnitude ground shock. 604th Russian test.
‘786’ coordinates: 49.93199, 78.80857
‘787’ coordinated: 49.93083, 78.80972
1985 - ‘Kinibito’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,901 feet (579m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 110 kilotons from the weapons development device (probable Trident warhead), causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock. 40th British test. Coordinates: 37.05313, -116.04628.
DECEMBER 6TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
French tests: 2
Total yield: 88.21 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - ‘Pascal-C’ detonated in an un-stemmed shaft vertical shaft 260 feet (80m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 20:15 GMT with a yield of 0.01 kilotons from the LANL device (XW-42) as part of a one-point safety test during Project 58, exceeding the allowable yield. 116th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04992, -116.03159.
Side Note: ‘Pascal-C’ was the first of four one-point safety tests conducted in Project 58.
1967 - ‘Polka’ detonated in a vertical shaft 639 feet (195m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 13:00 GMT with a yield of 0.2 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, causing a 3.3 magnitude ground shock and venting 380 curies of Xenon during gas sampling and drill-back operations. 523rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15922, -116.05382.
1969 - ‘Say-Utes-1’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,350 feet (410m) beneath Mangystau, Kazakhstan at 07:02 GMT with a yield of 30 kilotons as part of an industrial earth-moving experiment, causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock and creating alluvial craters. 313th Russian test. Coordinates: 43.81986, 54.78317.
1984 - ‘Memnon’ detonated in a shaft beneath Moruroa Atoll lagoon at 17:29 GMT with a yield of 53 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.63 magnitude ground shock. 151st French test. Coordinates: -21.83919, -138.8546.
1986 - ‘Pénéléos’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 17:10 with a yield of 5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.99 magnitude ground shock. 166th French test. Coordinates: -21.871, -138.92852.
DECEMBER 7TH
Russian tests: 4 (5 devices)
French tests: 1
British tests: 1
Total yield: 175.7 kilotons,
The Details:
1962 - ‘Tendrac’ detonated in a vertical shaft 993 feet (302m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the weapons development device during Operation Storax, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock and creating a 508 foot (155m) subsidence crater. 23rd British test. Coordinates: 37.05174, -116.03002.
1974 - ‘Lazurit’ detonated 246 feet (75m) beneath Sary-Uzen/Murzhik, Semipalatinsk at 05:59 GMT with a yield of 1.7 kilotons as part of an industrial earth-moving experiment intended to create a dome of earth, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock. 413th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.9276, 77.60523.
1976 - ‘529’ and ‘530’ detonated in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 04:57 GMT with a combined yield of 54 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock. 454th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.9445, 78.83825.
- At the same moment, ‘531’ detonated in a separate vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk with a yield of 95 kilotons, causing a 5.9 magnitude ground shock. 455th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.90019, 78.78558.
1983 - ‘Gyges’ detonated in a shaft beneath Mururoa Atoll lagoon at 17:28 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.17 magnitude ground shock. 143rd French test. Coordinates: -21.85365, -138.91277.
DECEMBER 8TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
British tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total yield: 204 kilotons.
The Details:
1967 - ‘294’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 06:03 GMT with a yield of 19 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.31 magnitude ground shock. 279th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8171, 78.1638.
1968 - ‘Schooner’ detonated 364 feet (111m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 30 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a peaceful Plowshare Program cratering experiment in hard rock during Operation Bowline, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock, displacing 150,398,102 cubic feet (4,258,800 cubic meters) of rock leaving a crater 853 feet (260m) across and 206 feet (63m) deep, and releasing 3.7 million curies of Iodine into the atmosphere. 592nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.34326, -116.56661.
Side Note: The ‘Schooner’ plume spread unfissioned plutonium and other radionuclides across Area 20 and northward into the Nellis Air Force Range. According to measurements taken in 2001, the ‘Schooner’ crater had the highest annual mean concentration of radioactive tritiated water of any area of the Nevada Test Site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=892dw9XN5Co
1976 - ‘Redmud’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,400 feet (426m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 14:49 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Fulcrum, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock. 804th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.07922, -116.00249.
1981 - ‘Cadmos’ detonated in a shaft beneath Moruroa Atoll lagoon at 16:47 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.17 magnitude ground shock. 124th French test. Coordinates: -21.79700, -138.92700.
1989 - ‘Barnwell’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,971 feet (600m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 120 kilotons from the weapons development device (probable Trident warhead) during Operation Aqueduct, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock and venting Xenon and Krypton from ground seepage lasting 4 months. 43rd British test. Coordinates: 37.23115, -116.41032.
DECEMBER 9TH
U.S. tests: 3 (4 devices)
British tests: 1
Total yield: 108 kilotons.
The Details:
1957 - ‘Coulomb-C’ detonated on the surface of Yucca Flat area S3 at 20:00 GMT with a yield of 0.5 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a one-point safety test during Project 58, spewing 69,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. The test was a failure. 117th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0443, -116.0305.
1983 - ‘Muggins’ detonated in a vertical shaft 800 feet (243m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during the first test of Operation Fusileer, causing a 4.0 magnitude ground shock and creating a 295 foot (90m) diameter subsidence crater. 935th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01274, -116.04643.
1984 - ‘Egmont’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,791 feet (546m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 19:40 GMT with a yield of 103 kilotons from the weapons development device (probable Trident warhead) during Operation Grenadier, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock. 39th British test. Coordinates: 37.27004, -116.4985.
1988 - ‘Kawich A-White’ and ‘Kawich B-Blue’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft 1,259 feet (384) beneath Yucca Flat area U8 at 15:15 GMT with a combined yield of 3 kilotons from the two LLNL devices, creating a 262 foot (80m) diameter subsidence crater. 1,018th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17527, -116.09261.
DECEMBER 10TH
U.S. tests: 6 (10 devices)
Russian tests: 3 (4 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: 331.6 kilotons.
The Details:
1961 – ‘Gnome’ detonated in a tunnel at the bottom of a vertical shaft 1,181 feet (360m) beneath New Mexico 25 miles (40km) southeast of Carlsbad in a salt dome at 10:00 GMT with a yield of 3.1 kilotons from the LLNL peaceful research device during Operation Nougat, creating a cavity 170 feet (52m) in diameter and 80 feet (24m) high, and releasing radiation that was detected off-site resulting from tunnel stemming failure. 201st U.S. test. Coordinates: 32.26298, -103.86592.
Side Note: ‘Gnome’ was the first peaceful purposes detonation under the Plowshare program and had several purposes, mostly to show that nuclear devices might be used for peaceful applications that would benefit humankind:
1 - Study the possibility of converting the heat produced by a nuclear explosion and retained in the salt formation into steam for the production of electric power. The plan was to pipe water through the molten salt and use the steam generated to produce electricity. Six months after the detonation, the cavity was entered with the temperature still around 140° Fahrenheit (60° Celsius).
2- Explore the feasibility of recovering radioisotopes generated by fission for scientific and industrial applications. Once cooled, the hardened salt could be dissolved in water to extract the radioisotopes.
3 - Study seismic signals, radiation, ground wave patterns, electromagnetic pulse, and acoustic measurements of an underground nuclear detonation as part of the Vela Uniform program established to detect underground nuclear detonations.
1967 – ‘Gasbuggy’ detonated in a vertical shaft 4,230 feet (1,290m) beneath New Mexico near Farmington at 19:30 GMT with a yield of 29 kilotons from the LLNL peaceful research device during Operation Crosstie, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock and creating an 80 foot (24m) wide and 335 foot (102m) high rubble chamber above the blast center. 524th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.6778, -107.2089.
Side Note: ‘Gasbuggy’ was another Plowshare detonation, this time to determine the feasibility of using a nuclear detonation deep underground in shale formations to fracture the rock and increase gas production. Nuclear fracking. In fact, gas production after ‘Gasbuggy’ did increase, but the gas was also radioactive and could not be used commercially.
1969 – ‘Culantro-A’ and ‘Culantrol-B’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts 440 feet (134m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from each of the two LANL weapons development devices during Operation Mandrel. 623rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01469, -116.00362.
1969 - ‘Tun-A,’ ‘Tun-B,’ ‘Tun-C,’ and ‘Tun-B’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 15:30 GMT during Operation Mandrel, causing a 4.2 magnitude ground shock and venting Krypton and Xenon from ‘Tun-B’ surface ground zero and during gas sampling operations. 624th U.S. test.
‘Tun-A’ coordinates: 37.16771, -116.08023, Depth: 635 feet (193m), Yield: 2.5 kilotons, Subsidence crater: 98 feet (30m).
‘Tun-B’ coordinates: 37.16945, -116.08019, Depth: 636 feet (194m), Yield: 2 kilotons, Subsidence crater: 164 feet (50m).
‘Tun-C’ coordinates: 37.16769, -116.07797, Depth: 636 feet (194m), Yield: 2 kilotons, Subsidence crater: 164 feet (50m).
‘Tun-D’ coordinates: 37.16947, -116.07796, Depth: 840 feet (256m), Yield: 3 kilotons, Subsidence crater: 295 feet (90m).
1972 – ‘419’ and ‘420’ detonated in separate tunnels within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:27:00 GMT with a combined yield of 58 kilotons from the weapons development devices, causing a 5.72 magnitude ground shock. 376th Russian test.
‘419’ coordinates: 49.82353, 78.07857
‘420’ coordinates: 49.8194, 78.0582
1972 - ‘421’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,240 feet (378m) beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 04:27:10 GMT with a yield of 140 kilotons from the peaceful research device, causing a 5.96 magnitude ground shock, creating a 360 foot (110m) subsidence crater and venting unknown radionuclides. 377th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.02772, 78.99545.
1980 – ‘Angara’ detonated in a vertical shaft 8,152 feet (2,485m) beneath Khanty-Mansi, Russia at 07:00 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons as part of an oil stimulation experiment, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock. 563rd Russian test. Coordinates: 61.74616, 66.77651.
1982 – ‘Manteca’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,355 feet (413m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 at 15:20 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Phalanx, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock, and venting 78 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 917th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08014, -116.07276.
1986 – ‘Circé’ detonated in a shaft beneath Moruroa Atoll lagoon at 17:15 GMT with a yield of 32 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.45 magnitude ground shock. 167th French test. Coordinates: -21.84944, -138.91277.
1988 – ‘Misty Echo’ detonated in a tunnel 1,300 feet (400m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U12 at 20:30 GMT with a yield of 25 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Cornerstone, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock and venting 7 curies of Xenon, Krypton, Tritium, and Argon during an experimental gas sampling operation over a period of four months. 1,019th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.19899, -116.21032.
DECEMBER 11TH
No nuclear weapons tests were conducted by any country anywhere in the world on this day.
DECEMBER 12TH
U.S. tests: 8 (13 devices)
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 135.5 kilotons.
The Details:
1962 - ‘Madison’ detonated in a tunnel 805 feet (245m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U12 at 17:25 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Storax , venting 20,000 curies of Xenon for over 30 hours during drill-back operations. 300th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17214, -116.20282.
-- One hour and 20 minutes later at 18:45 GMT, ‘Numbat’ detonated in a vertical shaft 761 feet (231m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with a yield of 11 kilotons from the LANL device during Operation Storax, creating a 561 foot (171m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Iodine-131 during drill-back operations. 301st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04609, -116.01637.
1963 - ‘Eagle’ detonated in a vertical shaft 540 feet (164m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 16:02 GMT with a yield of 5.3 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Niblick, creating a 393 foot (120m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 760 curies of raw fission products from the vertical line of sight pipe for a period of three minutes after detonation and again for 83 hours during drill-back operations. The effluent included Strontium, Molybdenum, Rubidium, Iodine, Tellurium, Xenon, Cesium, Barium, and Lanthanum. The radioactive cloud was detected off-site as far away as Death Valley Junction in California. 348th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13098, -116.04476.
1968 - ‘Bay Leaf’ detonated in a vertical shaft 427 feet (130m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:00 GMT with a reported yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Bowline. 578th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04702, -116.03104.
-- Ten minutes later at 15:10 GMT, ‘Tyg-A’, Tyg-B’, ‘Tyg-C’, ‘Tyg-D’, ‘Tyg-E’, and ‘Tyg-F’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area U2 with varying yields from the six LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Bowline, venting 6,800 curies of Xenon from ‘Tyg-A’ and ‘Tyg-B’ surface ground zero for a period of 24 hours and for short durations during drill-back operations. 579th U.S. test.
‘Tyg-A’ coordinates: 37.1209, -116.08145, Depth of burial: 749 feet (228m), Yield: 20 kilotons, Subsidence crater: 164 feet (50m) diameter.
‘Tyg-B’ coordinates: 37.11758, -116.08035, Depth of burial: 823 feet (251m), Yield: 3 kilotons, Subsidence crater: 262 feet (80m) diameter.
‘Tyg-C’ coordinates: 37.11804, -116.07788, Depth of burial: 749 feet (228m), Yield: 2 kilotons, Subsidence crater: 164 feet (50m) diameter.
‘Tyg-D’ coordinates: 37.12124, -116.0791, Depth of burial: 749 feet (228m), Yield: 1 kiloton, Subsidence crater: 131 feet (40m) diameter.
‘Tyg-E’ coordinates: 37.11985, -116.07744, Depth of burial: 749 feet (228m), Yield: 3 kilotons, Subsidence crater: 295 feet (90m) diameter.
‘Tyg-F’ coordinates: 37.11879, -116.08278, Depth of burial: 749 feet (228m), Yield: 4 kilotons, Subsidence crater: 328 feet (100m) diameter.
-- Twenty minutes later at 15:20 GMT, ‘Scissors’ detonated in a vertical shaft 789 feet (240m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, causing a 3.9 magnitude ground shock, creating a 328 foot (100m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Xenon for 38 minutes from surface ground zero. 580th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00391, -116.04.
1970 - ‘Say-Utes-2’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,430 feet (740m) beneath Mangystau, Kazakhstan at 07:00 GMT with a yield of 80 kilotons as part of an industrial experiment, causing a 6.0 magnitude ground shock. 329th Russian test. Coordinates: 43.851, 54.774.
1972 - ‘Tuloso’ detonated in a vertical shaft 889 feet (271m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of 0.2 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, causing a 3.3 magnitude ground shock. 714th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.03128, -116.02196.
1973 - ‘Pajara’ detonated in a vertical shaft 912 feet (278m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Arbor, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock, creating a 492 foot (150m) diameter ground shock and venting 5 curies of Xenon during cement-back operations. 738th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.99148, -116.0251.
DECEMBER 13TH
U.S. tests: 5
Russian tests: 2
Total yield: 293.5 kilotons.
The Details:
1961 - ‘Mad’ detonated in a vertical shaft 719 feet (219m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 0.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Nougat, causing a 3.4 magnitude ground shock and venting a slight amount of radiation as visible steam from surface ground zero. 202nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12656, -116.04962.
1966 - ‘Sidecar’ detonated in a vertical shaft 788 feet (240m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:50 with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Latchkey, causing a 3.9 magnitude ground shock and venting Iodine from surface ground zero. 481st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.03478, -116.00751.
-- Three hours and ten minutes later at 21:00 GMT, ‘New Point’ detonated in a vertical shaft 800 feet (243m) beneath Frenchman Flat area U11 with a yield of 7 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Latchkey, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock, creating a 196 foot (60m) subsidence crater and venting three curies of noble gases from surface ground zero. 482nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.8772, -115.93875.
1973 - ‘Seafoam’ detonated in a vertical shaft 650 feet (198m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:17 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during operation Arbor, venting five curies of radiation during gas sampling operations. 739th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16135, -116.07392.
1975 - ‘505’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:56 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 434th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8076, 78.1144.
1986 - ‘Bodie’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,083 feet (635m) beneath Pahute Mesa at 17:50 GMT with a yield of 140 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Musketeer, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock and venting Xenon and Krypton during drill-back operations and late time seepage from surface ground zero. 989th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.2629, -116.41257.
1987 - ‘930’ and ‘931’ detonated simultaneously in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:21 GMT with a combined yield of 137 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 6.06 magnitude ground shock. 689th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.96185, 78.79222.
DECEMBER 14TH
U.S. tests: 8
Russian tests: 4 (6 devices)
Chinese tests: 1
Total yield: 415.8 kilotons
The Details:
1956 - ‘36’ detonated 6,446 feet (1,965m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 40 kilotons from the weapons development device. 33rd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1962 - ‘Manatee’ detonated in a vertical shaft 192 feet (58m) beneath Yucca Flat at 18:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL Weapons development device during Operation Storax, venting 1,800 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 302nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12419, -116.04083,
1971 - ‘Chaenactis’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,086 feet (331) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 21:09:59 GMT with a yield of 24 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Grommet, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock and creating a 370 foot (113m) diameter subsidence crater. 688th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12393, -116.09049.
-- Two seconds later at 21:10:01 GMT, ‘Hospah’ detonated in a vertical shaft 990 feet (302m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with a yield of 11 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Grommet, creating a 557 foot (170m) diameter subsidence crater. 689th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02584, -116.02992.
-- At the same instant, ‘Yerba’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,089 feet (311m) beneath Yucca Flat area U1 with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Grommet, creating a 393 foot (120m) diameter subsidence crater. 690th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02317, -116.05957.
1972 - ‘Solanum’ detonated in a vertical shaft 660 feet (201m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 15:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Toggle, venting Xenon for a period of 20 minutes from a ventilation line during drill-back operations. 715th U.S. test. 37.13804, -116.03559.
1973 - ‘443’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 07:46 GMT with a yield of 80 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 6.0 magnitude ground shock. 394th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.04826, 78.98636.
1977 - ‘Rib’ detonated in a vertical shaft 698 feet (212m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 0.8 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Cresset. 826th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01752, -116.01864.
-- Thirty minutes later at 15:30 GMT, ‘Farallones’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,192 feet (668m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with a yield of 150 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Cresset, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock, creating a 984 foot (300m) diameter subsidence crater and venting one curie of Xenon during drill-back operations. 827th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13573, -116.08658.
1978 - ‘621’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:43 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.74 magnitude ground shock. 509th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8061, 78.1034.
1978 – ‘25’ detonated over Area D (Drop Area), Lop Nur, China at an unspecified time after being air-dropped with an unspecified yield. 25th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.5, 88.5.
1979 - ‘Azul’ detonated in a vertical shaft 673 feet (205m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Tinderbox. 864th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13732, -116.06394.
Side Note: The detonation of ‘Azul’ destroyed the ‘Peninsula’ device that had been damaged during emplacement in 1975 during Operation Anvil and was never detonated.
1980 - ‘714’, ‘715’, and ‘716’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:47 GMT with a combined yield of 101 kilotons from the three weapons development devices, causing a 5.93 magnitude ground shock. 564th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.90968, 78.91789.
DECEMBER 15TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 88 kilotons.
The Details:
1967 – ‘Stilt’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,090 feet (332m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie. 525th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.03666, -116.00273.
1971- ‘388’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 07:53 GMT with a yield of 6 kilotons during a weapons effects test, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock. 351st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8264, 77.9973.
1984 – ‘Tierra’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,100 feet (640m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U19 at 14:45 GMT with a yield of 80 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device (Proof-test of the B-83 bomb) during Operation Grenadier, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock and venting 600 curies of Xenon, Krypton and Argon from late-time seepage lasting over a week. 955th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.28131, -116.30629.
DECEMBER 16TH
U.S. tests: 12 (16 devices)
Russian tests: 3 (4 devices)
Total yield: 460.5 kilotons.
The Details:
1964 - ‘Parrot’ detonated in a vertical shaft 591 feet (180m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 20:00 GMT with a yield of 1.3 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, creating a 259 foot (79m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 230,000 curies of raw fission products including Xenon, Iodine, Krypton and Cesium from a crack in the line-of-sight pipe for a period of eight days and was detected off-site. 393rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.03479, -116.01303.
-- Three milliseconds later, ‘Cassowary’ and ‘Hoopoe’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts 492 feet (150m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with yields of <20 kilotons from each of the two LANL devices, one a weapons development device, the other a safety test, during Operation Whetstone. 394th U.S. test.
‘Cassowary’ coordinates: 37.03954, -116.02462.
‘Hoopoe’ coordinates: 37.0484, -116.03397.
--- Ten minutes later at 20:10 GMT, ‘Mudpack’ detonated in a vertical shaft 498 feet (151m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 with a yield of 2.7 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Whetstone, creating a 252 foot (77m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 54 curies of Xenon and Iodine during drill-back operations. 395th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17776, -116.06781.
1965 - ‘Emerson’ detonated in a vertical shaft 849 feet (259m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:39 GMT with a yield of 3 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, creating a 252 foot (77m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Xenon from surface ground zero and during drill-back operations. 434th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14079, -116.06405.
-- Three hours and 26 minutes later at 19:15 GMT, ‘Buff’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,641 feet (500m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with a yield of 51 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, creating a 1,282 foot (391m) diameter subsidence crater. 435th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.07251, -116.02998.
1970 - ‘Canjilon’ detonated in a vertical shaft 991 feet (302m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:00:00.05 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Emery. 662nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.07247, -116.02586.
-- Four milliseconds later at 16:00:00:09 GMT, ‘Artesia’ detonated in a separate vertical shaft 1,590 feet (484m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 with a yield of 45 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Emery, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock and creating a 879 foot (268m) diameter subsidence crater. 663rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.10012, -116.00881.
-- Eight milliseconds later at 20:00:00:17 GMT, ‘Avens-Andorre’, ‘Avens-Alkermes’, ‘Avens-Asamite’, and ‘Avens-Cream’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts 958 feet (292m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 with varying yields from the four LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Emery, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock, creating a 580 foot (177m) diameter subsidence crater above ‘Avens-Cream’ emplacement, and venting 66 curies of Xenon and Cesium from ‘Avens-Cream’ surface ground zero cables for a duration of 39 minutes. 664th U.S. test.
‘Avens-Andorre’ coordinates: 37.14173, -116.04053, Yield: 4 kilotons.
‘Avens-Alkermes’ coordinates: 37.13737, -116.03903, Yield: 4 kilotons.
‘Avens-Asamite’ coordinates: 37.13406, -116.03632, Yield: 4 kilotons.
‘Avens-Cream’ coordinates: 37.1428, -116.03502, Yield: 20 kilotons.
1974 - ‘Keel’ detonated in a vertical shaft 999 feet (304m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:30 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bedrock, causing a 4.3 magnitude ground shock and creating a 557 foot (170m) diameter subsidence crater. 764th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01136, -116.01833.
1974 - ‘469’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 06:23 GMT with a yield of 6.7 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 4.94 magnitude ground shock. 414th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7598, 78.0754.
-- 18 minutes later at 06:41 GMT ‘470’ detonated in another tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk with a yield of 3.8 kilotons as part of an industrial experiment for keeping radioactivity from invading ore bodies when using a nuclear device to fracture them, causing a 4.89 magnitude ground shock. 415th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8329, 78.0318.
1978 - ‘Farm’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2.260 feet (689m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 15:30 GMT with a yield of 140 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Quicksilver, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock and venting Krypton and Tritium during gas sampling operations. 848th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.27334, -116.41116.
1981 - ‘Caboc’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1.099 feet (335m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 21:05 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Praetorian, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock and venting Xenon during gas sampling and drill-back operations. 898th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11447, -116.12365.
1983 - ‘Romano’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,690 feet (515m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 29 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Fusileer, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock, creating a754 foot (230m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Xenon during cement-back operations. 936th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1404, -116.07294.
Side Note: ‘Romano’ was a test of the nuclear-pumped X-Ray laser (Excalibur) dreamed up by Edward Teller for Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (STAR WARS) nuclear umbrella which never quite worked out even though Teller had Reagan and others convinced that it would work. Teller’s fellow scientists and LLNL personnel knew the laser X-Ray would not work as he had promised, but other than one, Roy Woodruff, no one stood up to Teller. Billions were funneled to the Lawrence Livermore National Lab headed by Teller. Three underground nuclear detonations were conducted to try and prove the concept, but without success. The idea of nuclear-pumped lasers was determined to be out of reach of current technology. For more about Teller’s deception of the Reagan Administration and the American people, read either “Teller’s War” by William Broad or “Edward Teller: The Real Dr. Strangelove” by Peter Goodchild.”
1984 - ‘872’ and ‘873’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:55 GMT with a combined yield of 137 kilotons, causing a 6.12 magnitude ground shock. 657th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.94708, 78.80683.
DECEMBER 17TH
U.S. tests: 4
Russian tests: 2
British tests: 1
French tests: 2
Total yield: 468 kilotons.
The Details:
1961 – ‘Ringtail’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,190 feet (362m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:35 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device (an XW-54) during Operation Nougat, creating a 777 foot (237m) diameter subsidence crater and venting <10 curies of radiation from surface ground zero in the form of radioactive steam. 203rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04317, -116.02616.
1969 – ‘Grape-A’ detonated in a vertical shaft.1,806 feet (550m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 89 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock and creating a 1,102 foot (336m) diameter subsidence crater. 625th U.S test. Coordinates: 37.08333, -116.00266.
-- Fifteen minutes later at 15:15 GMT, ‘Lovage’ detonated 1,240.3 feet (378m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with a yield of 16 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock and creating a 633 foot (193m) diameter subsidence crater. 626th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00661, -116.02356.
1970 – ‘361’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 07:01 GMT with a yield of 26 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.43 magnitude ground shock. 330th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7456, 78.0992.
1970 – ‘Carpetbag’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,170 feet (661m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 16:05 GMT with a yield of 220 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Emery, causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock, creating a 1,099 foot (335m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 5 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 665th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12931, -116.08365.
1977 – ‘Laocoon’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 22:00 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.09 magnitude ground shock. 79th French test. Coordinates: -21.79177, -138.85851.
1978 – ‘Étéocle’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moroura Atoll at 18:04 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.15 magnitude ground shock. 89th French test. Coordinates: -21.80107, -138.84749.
1980 – ‘Serpa’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,879 feet (572m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U19 at 15:10 GMT with a yield of 35 kilotons from the weapons development device during Operation Guardian, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 34th British test. Coordinates: 37.32476, -116.31608.
1988 – ‘960’ and ‘961’ detonated simultaneously in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 04:18 GMT with a combined yield of 68 kilotons from the weapons development devices, causing a 5.83 magnitude ground shock. 706th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.881, 78.92325.
DECEMBER 18TH
U.S. tests: 3 (4 devices)
Russian tests: 5
Total yield: 438.992 kilotons.
The Details:
1962 - ‘215’ detonated 5,429 feet (1,600m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 10:45 GMT with a yield of 110 kilotons from the weapons development device after it was air-dropped. 208th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
-- On the same day at an unspecified time, ‘216’ detonated 4,921 feet (1,500m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya with a yield of 69 kilotons from the fundamental science device after it was air-dropped. 209th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1964 - ‘Sulky’ detonated 89 feet (27m) beneath area 18 of the Nevada Test Site at 19:35 GMT with a yield of 0.092 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a peaceful research test to determine how good a nuclear warhead was at fracturing rock into gravel during Operation Wetstone, creating a mound of fractured rock 157 feet (48m) in diameter and venting 130,000 curies of radioactive Krypton, Strontium, Iodine, Xenon, Cesium, and Barium over a period of 35 days from surface ground zero which was detected off-site. 396th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08259, -116.34345.
1966 - ‘271’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen/Murzhik, Semipalatinsk at 04:58 GMT with a yield of 100 kilotons from the peaceful research device, causing a 5.92 magnitude ground shock and venting radionuclides. 262nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.92515, 77.74706.
1968 – ‘317’ detonated in a tunnel 636 feet (194m) beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:01 GMT with a yield of 8.9 kilotons from the peaceful research device, causing a 5.04 magnitude ground shock. 296th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7459, 78.092.
1969 - ‘Terrine-White’ and ‘Terrine-Yellow’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 19:00 GMT with a combined yield of 38 kilotons from the two LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Mandrel, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock and venting 48 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 627th U.S. test.
‘Terrine-White’ coordinates: 37.12044, -116.03551, Depth of burial: 1,515 feet (461m)
‘Terrine-Yellow’ coordinates: 37.12044, -116.0297, Depth of burial: 1,368 feet (417m).
1970 - ‘Baneberry’ detonated in a vertical shaft 912 feet (277m) beneath Yucca Flat area U8 at 1530 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Emery, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock, creating a 492 foot (150m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 6.7 million curies of gross fission products that spread out beyond NTS. 666th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17309, -116.09973.
Side Note: -- Three minutes after Zero Time, raw radioactive effluents and dust began forcibly venting from a fissure that had opened near surface ground zero and from the shaft itself because of failed stemming. The venting continued for 24 hours creating the worst radiological release since atmospheric testing was halted. Eighty-six NTS workers received higher levels of radiation than allowed. Two security guards who were ordered into the area developed leukemia and died within four years. The release of 80,000 curies of I-131 was by far the worst accidental release at NTS and was detected in milk samples elsewhere in Nevada. For anyone interested in numerology, please note this was the 666th U.S. test.
1978 - ‘Galit’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,070 feet (630m) beneath Atyrau, Kazakhstan at 07:59 GMT with a yield of 103 kilotons from the industrial applications device intended to create gas storage reservoirs, causing a 5.9 magnitude ground shock. 510th Russian test. Coordinates: 47.85689, 48.16091.
DECEMBER 19TH
U.S. tests: 3
French tests: 1
Chinese tests: 1
Total yield: 1,227.3 kilotons.
The Details:
1968 - ‘Benham’ detonated in a vertical shaft 4,600 feet (1,402m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of 1,200 kilotons (1.2 megatons) from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, causing a 6.3 magnitude ground shock. 581st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.23142, -116.47448.
Side Note: ‘Benham’ produced linear fracture zones along previously mapped Basin and Range faults as far as 3.5 miles (5.6km) from the detonation point.
1973 - ‘Spar’ detonated in a vertical shaft 487 feet (148m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 18:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Arbor. 740th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00575, -116.01964.
-- Forty-four minutes later at 19:16 GMT, ‘Elida’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,251 feet (381m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with a yield of 0.3 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Arbor, venting 0.8 curies of Xenon during cement-back operations. 741st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00109, -116.03228.
1978 – ‘Eumée’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 16:57 GMT with a yield of 12 kilotons, causing a 5.09 magnitude ground shock. 90th French test. Coordinates: -21.86642, -138.90406.
1984 - China detonated a device in a tunnel at Lop Nor area A at 05:59 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons from the weapons development device, a neutron bomb, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock. 33rd Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.7167, 88.3981.
Side Note: This was China’s 5th attempt at a neutron bomb. The first four tests were failures, this was a success.
DECEMBER 20TH
U.S. tests: 5 (6 devices)
Russian tests: 3 (4 devices)
Total yield: 1,049.3 kilotons.
The Details:
1962 - ‘217’ detonated 3,510 feet (1,070m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya, at an unspecified time with a yield of 8.3 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 210th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1963 - ‘Tuna’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,359 feet (414m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:24 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL device weapons development device during Operation Niblick, venting Iodine and Xenon from surface ground zero. 349th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.05277, -116.03413.
1966 - ‘Greeley’ detonated in a vertical shaft 3,985 feet (1,214m) beneath Pahute Mesa area 20 at 15:30 GMT with a yield of 870 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Latchkey, causing a 6.3 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 170 foot (52m) diameter subsidence crater. 483rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.30231, -116.40966.
1975 - ‘Chiberta’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,349 Feet (716m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 20:00 GMT with a yield of 160 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Anvil, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock and creating a 1,148 foot (350m) subsidence crater. 786th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1276, -116.06244.
1978 - ‘623’ and ‘624’ detonated in a the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:33 GMT with a combined yield of 3.5 kilotons from the two weapons development devices. 511th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.81083, 78.05417.
1984 - ‘Minero’ detonated in a vertical shaft 803 feet (244m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:20 GMT with a yield of 2.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Grenadier, causing a 4.2 magnitude ground shock. 956th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01192, -116.04565.
1987 - ‘932’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:59 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the fundamental science device, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock. 690th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7742, 77.9986.
1989 - ‘Whiteface-A’ and ’Whiteface-B’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft 646 feet (196m) beneath Yucca Flat with yields of <20 kilotons from both LANL devices as part of safety tests during Operation Aqueduct. 1,031st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02584, -116.03197.
DECEMBER 21ST
U.S. tests: 4 (5 devices)
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 34.6 kilotons.
The Details:
1972 - ‘Flax-Source’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,440 feet (440m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 20:15:00 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Toggle, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock and creating a 583 foot (178m) diameter subsidence crater. 716th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13997, -116.08415.
-- Twenty-four seconds later at 20:15:24 GMT, ‘Flax-Test’ and ‘Flax-Backup’ detonated simultaneously in the same shaft 2,257 (688m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 with unspecified yields from the two LLNL devices as part of a weapons effects test. 717th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13997, -116.08415.
1976 - ‘Asiago’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,085 feet (330m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:09 GMT with a yield of 11 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Fulcrum, creating a 557 foot (170m) subsidence crater. 805th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12386, -116.06833.
-- Forty-nine minutes later at 15:58 GMT, ‘Sutter’ detonated 657 feet (200m) beneath Yucca Flat area 2 with an unspecified yield from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Fulcrum. 806th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15205, -116.06454.
1979 - ‘674’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:42 GMT with a yield of 3.6 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.71 magnitude ground shock. 541st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7957, 78.123.
DECEMBER 22ND
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 2 (4 devices)
Total yield: 13.45 kilotons.
The Details:
1961 – ‘Feather’ detonated in a tunnel 812 feet (247m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U12 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of 0.15 kilotons (its predicted yield) from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Nougat, venting 380 curies of radioactive Iodine, Cesium, Rubidium and Lanthanum as a visible cloud from the tunnel portal and vent pipes on top of the mesa for 11 minutes and which drifted off-site. 204th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1949, -116.20916.
1962 – ‘218’ detonated 3,444 feet (1,050m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at an unspecified time with a yield of 6.3 kilotons from the weapons development device. 211th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1981 – ‘753’, ‘754’ and ‘755’ simultaneously detonated in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:31 GMT with a combined yield of 7 kilotons from the three weapons development devices, causing a 4.96 magnitude ground shock. 586th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8267, 78.0757.
DECEMBER 23RD
Russian tests: 6 (7 devices)
Total yield: 652.701 kilotons
The Details:
1962 – ‘219” detonated 4,790 feet (1460m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 11:15 GMT with a yield of 430 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 212th Russian test: Coordinates: 73, 55.
-- At an unspecified time, ‘220’ detonated 4,820 feet (1,470m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya with a yield of 8.3 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 213th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
-- At an unspecified time, ‘221’ detonated 4,170 feet (1,270m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya with a yield of 2.4 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 214th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
-- At an unspecified time, ‘222’ detonated on the dry surface of Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk with a yield of 0.001 kilotons as part of a safety test. 215th Russian test: Coordinates: 50.378, 77.855.
1970 – ‘Say-Utes-3’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,600 feet (500m) beneath Mangystau, Kazakhstan at 07:00 GMT with a yield of 75 kilotons from the industrial purposes device, causing a 6.0 magnitude ground shock and creating alluvial craters. It is possible the test was to determine the suitability of the area for testing thermonuclear devices. 331st Russian test. Coordinates: 43.89355, 54.89875.
1979 – ‘675’ and ‘676’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 04:56 GMT with a combined yield of 137 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 6.13 magnitude ground shock. 542nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.93336, 78.75111.
DECEMBER 24TH
Russian tests: 5
Chinese tests: 1
Total yield: 25,326.735 kilotons
The Details:
1962 – ‘223’ detonated on the dry surface of Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 0.007 kilotons as part of a one-point safety test. 216th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.378, 77.855.
-- ‘224’ detonated on the dry surface of Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 0.028 kilotons as part of a one-point safety test. 217th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.378, 77.855.
-- ‘225’ detonated 4,330 feet (1,300m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 10:44 GMT with a yield of 1,100 kilotons from the weapons development device. 218th Russian test. Coordinates: 74.2, 52.3.
-- -226’ detonated 12,300 feet (3,750m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 11:11 GMT with a yield of 24,200 kilotons (24.2 megatons) from the weapons development device. 219th Russian test. Coordinates: 74.2, 52.3.
1965 – ‘252’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:00 GMT with a yield of 6.7 kilotons from the peaceful research device, causing a 4.94 magnitude ground shock. 244th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8045, 78.1067.
1967 – A nuclear device detonated over Lop Nor, China at 04:00 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons after being air-dropped. 7th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.5, 88.5.
DECEMBER 25TH
Russian tests: 4 (5 devices)
Total yield: 3,169.2 kilotons
The Details:
1962 – ‘227’ detonated 7,380 feet (2,250m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 13:35 GMT with a yield of 3,100 kilotons from the weapons development device after it was air-dropped. 220th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.4, 56.5.
-- At an unspecified time, ‘228’ detonated 3,250 feet (990m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya with a yield of 8.5 kilotons from the weapons development device after it was air-dropped. 221st Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
Side Note: ‘228’ was the last Russian nuclear device atmospheric test.
1975 – ‘506’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 05:16 GMT with a yield of 59 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.69 magnitude ground shock. 435th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.04884, 78.81882.
1982 – ‘788’ and ‘789’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel 367 feet (112m) within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 4:23 GMT with a combined yield of 1.7 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.47 magnitude ground shock. 605th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7763, 78.028.
DECEMBER 26TH
Russian tests: 5 (9 devices)
Total yield: 80 kilotons.
The Details:
1977 - ‘565’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:03 with an unspecified yield from the weapons development device. 479th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.81683, 78.05366.
At the same instant, ‘566’, ‘567’, ‘568’, and ‘569’ detonated simultaneously in two different tunnels within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk with a combined yield of 6 kilotons from the four weapons development devices, causing a 4.91 magnitude ground shock. 480th Russian test.
‘566’ coordinates: 49.80554, 78.11539
‘567’, ‘568’, and ‘569’ coordinates: 49.80621, 78.11687.
1980 - ‘717’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:07 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.5 magnitude ground shock. 565th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8254, 78.08079.
1982 - ‘790’ and ‘791’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:35 GMT at with yields of 21 kilotons each - one a weapons development device, the other a fundamental science device - causing a 4.58 magnitude ground shock. 606th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.06887, 78.99323.
1983 - ‘830’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:29 GMT with a yield of 30 kilotons from the fundamental science device, causing a 5.48 magnitude ground shock. 631st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7975, 78.1036.
DECEMBER 27TH
Russian tests: 4 (6 devices)
French tests: 2
Chinese tests: 1
Total yield: 3,427 kilotons
The Details:
1960 – ‘Gerboise Rouge’ detonated atop a 150 foot (50m) tower at Reggane PG, French Algeria at 07:30 GMT with a yield of 3 kilotons from the French "Red Jerboa" device as part of a weapons effects test. 3rd French test. Coordinates: 26.35319, -0.12341.
1968 – A nuclear device detonated above the Lop Nor test site at 7:30 GMT with a yield of 3,000 kilotons after being air-dropped. 8th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.5, 88.5.
Side Note: This device was the first use of plutonium in a thermonuclear warhead primary by China intended for the DF-3 liquid-fueled, single-stage, medium-range nuclear ballistic.
1974 - ‘471’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 05:46 GMT with a yield of 36 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock. 416th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.96857, 79.00437.
1980 - ‘718’ and ‘719’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 04:09 GMT with a combined yield of 100 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.87 magnitude ground shock. 566th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.06781, 78.97432.
1981 - ‘756’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:43 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 6.16 magnitude ground shock. 587th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.93144, 78.7862.
1987 - ‘934’ and ‘935’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:05 GMT with a combined yield of 117 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 6.0 magnitude ground shock. 691st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.87979, 78.72368.
1995 - ‘Thémisto’ detonated in a shaft beneath Moruroa Atoll lagoon at 21:29 GMT with a yield of 21 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.29 magnitude ground shock. 209th French test. Coordinates: -21.85221, -138.8546.
DECEMBER 28TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 5 (7 devices)
Chinese tests: 1
Total yield: 606.59 kilotons.
The Details:
1957 - ‘52’ (‘Joe-43’) detonated 2,018 feet (615m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 12 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 49thth Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1966 – ‘CHIC-5’ detonated atop a 335 foot (102m) tower on Area D, Lop Nur, China at 04:00 GMT with a yield of 300 kilotons from the ‘CHIC-5’ boosted fission device with a uranium core to confirm the design principles of a two-stage thermonuclear device. 5th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.5, 88.5.
1969 - ‘340’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen/Murzhik, Semipalatinsk at 03:47 GMT with a yield of 40 kilotons, causing a 5.79 magnitude ground shock. 314th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.93742, 77.71418.
1972 - ‘422’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:27 with an unspecified yield, yet causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock. The device had a predicted maximum yield of 20 kilotons and estimates show it may have been as low as 0.39 kilotons. Possible fizzle. 378th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.74209, 78.10206.
1976 - ‘Rudder’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,095 feet (638m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 28:00 GMT with a yield of 89 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock and creating a 1,148 foot (350m) diameter subsidence crater. 807th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1004, -116.03755.
1984 - ‘874’ and ‘875’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:50 GMT with a combined yield of 105 kilotons from the two devices, one weapons development, one peaceful research. 658th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.87984, 78.7027.
1985 – ‘Goldstone’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,801 feet (549m) beneath Pahute Mesa area 20 at 19:01 GMT with a yield of 60 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock. 974th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.23775, -116.47364.
1988 - ‘962’ and ‘963’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:28 GMT with a combined yield of 0.2 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 3.74 magnitude ground shock. 707th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.80228, 78.06551.
DECEMBER 29TH
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 10 kilotons.
The Details:
1969 – ‘341’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:02 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the peaceful research device, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 315th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7337, 78.1022.
DECEMBER 30TH
Russian tests: 2 (4 devices)
Total yield: 60 kilotons.
The Details:
1971 – ‘390’ and ‘391’ detonated within two-tenths of a second of each other in separate tunnels within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 06:21 GMT with a combined yield of 50 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.84 magnitude ground shock. 353rd and 354th Russian tests.
‘390’ coordinates: 49.76, 78.0371.
‘391’ coordinates: 49.75729, 78.04214.
1976 – ‘532’ and ‘434’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:57 GMT with a combined yield of 10 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.09 magnitude ground shock. 456th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7686, 78.0331.
DECEMBER 31ST
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 0.5 kilotons
The Details:
1973 - ‘444’ detonated in a tunnel 515 feet (157m) within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:03 GMT with a yield of 0.5 kilotons from the weapons development device. 395th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.74366, 78.08362.
