WORLDWIDE TESTING IN FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY 1ST
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 19 kilotons.
The Details:
1951 - ‘Easy’ detonated 1,079 feet (330m) above Frenchman Flat at 13:46 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LANL Mk-4 bomb after being dropped by a B-50 bomber during Operation Ranger. 9th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.82664, -115.95883.
1979 - ‘628’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 04:13 GMT with a yield of 18 kilotons, causing a 5.29 magnitude ground shock. 514th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.08586, 78.85137.
FEBRUARY 2ND
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 2
Chinese tests: 1
Total yield: 24.3 kilotons.
The Details:
1951 - ‘Baker-2’detonated 1,099 feet (340m) above Frenchman Flat at 13:48 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the LANL designed Mk-4 bomb after being dropped by a B-50 bomber during Operation Ranger, spewing 3.2 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 10th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.82664, -115.95883.
Side Note: ‘Baker-2’ was identical to ‘Baker’on January 28 and intended to confirm reproducible results from the first shot. It did so.
1956 - ‘28’detonated atop a rocket above Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan at an unspecified time with a yield of 0.3 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test of a full scale R-5M rocket launched from Kapustin Yar, Astrakhan. 25th Russian test.
Launch Coordinates: 48.56956, 45.90346.
Detonation Coordinates: 47.984, 62.011.
1962 - ‘Argon-1’detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 08:00 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 5.63 magnitude ground shock. 143rdRussian test. Coordinates: 49.78198, 77.99618.
Side Note: ‘Argon-1’ was the first Russian underground detonation.
1979 - China detonated a device beneath Area D, Lop Nor with a yield of 1 kiloton, far below its intended yield. 26th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.5, 88.5.
FEBRUARY 3RD
U.S. tests: 3 (5 devices)
Total yield: 5.5 kilotons.
The Details:
1966 - ‘Plaid II’ detonated in a vertical shaft 886 feet (270m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 18:17 GMT with a yield of 3.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, causing a 4.3 magnitude ground shock, creating a 259 foot (79m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 7 curies of Xenon and Iodine for a period of 29 minutes from surface ground zero following detonation, 3.1 days from surface ground zero during drill-back operations, and 2.2 days from the ventilation system during drill-back operations. 441st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12626, -116.07034.
1972 - ‘Cowles’ detonated in a vertical shaft 990 feet (301m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 21:45 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Grommet, causing a 4.1 magnitude ground shock and creating a 290 foot (90m) subsidence crater. 692nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00105, -116.02016.
1987 - ‘Hazebrook – Emerald (Green)’, ‘Hazebrook – Checkerberry (Red)’, and ‘Hazebrook – Apricot (Orange)’ detonated simultaneously at 15:20 GMT in the same vertical shaft at varying depths – 610 feet (186m), 741 feet (226m), and 860 feet (262m) respectively - beneath Yucca Flat area U10 with yields of <20 kilotons each during Operation Musketeer. ‘Emerald’ and ‘Checkerberry’ were weapons development tests, ‘Apricot’ was a safety experiment. All three devices were developed by LLNL. 990th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.18109, -116.04931.
FEBRUARY 4TH
U.S. tests: 7
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 575.6 kilotons
The Details:
1965 - ‘Cashmere’ detonated in a vertical shaft 761 feet (232m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:30 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, leaving a 360 foot (110m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 8 curies of Xenon for a period of 4 hours during drill-back operations. 399th U.S. detonation. Coordinates: 37.13073, -116.06253.
1965 - ‘239’ detonated in a tunnel 860 feet (262m) beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 44 kilotons as part of a fundamental science test, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 232nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.77238, 77.99428.
1969 - ‘Nipper’ detonated in a vertical shaft 789 feet (240m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bowline. 587th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00262, -116.01.
-- At the same instant, ‘Winch’ detonated in a separate adjacent vertical shaft 789 feet (240m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with a yield of 600 tons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, causing a 3.7 magnitude ground shock. 588th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00941, -116.04304.
1970 - ‘Grape-B’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,819 feet (554m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 120 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock and creating a 1,443 foot (440m) diameter subsidence crater. 630th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.09804, -116.02737.
-- 3 milliseconds later, ‘Belen’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,381 feet (420m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with a yield of 97 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, creating a 787 foot (240m) diameter subsidence crater. 631st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.05497, -116.03971.
1976 - ‘Keelson’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,095 feet (639m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 14:20 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Anvil, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock and creating a 1,246 foot (380m) diameter subsidence crater. 788th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.06921, -116.03103.
-- Twenty minutes later at 14:40 GMT, ‘Esrom’ detonated in an adjacent shaft 2,148 feet (654m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 with a yield of 160 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock, creating a 787 foot (240m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 88 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 789th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.10655, -116.03829.
FEBRUARY 5TH
U.S. tests: 2
Total yield: 25 kilotons.
The Details:
1970 - ‘Labis’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,450 feet (441m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 25 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock and creating a 787 foot (240m) diameter subsidence crater. 632nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16392, -116.0397.
Side Note: 'Labis' created a 106 foot diameter cavity at the underground shot point which then collapsed to create the subsidence crater.
1981 - ‘Clairette’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,160 feet (353m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Guardian. 883rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01088, -116.03291.
FEBRUARY 6TH
U.S. tests: 3 (4 devices)
Russian tests: 1 (3 devices)
Total yield: 33.35 kilotons.
The Details:
1951 - ‘Fox’ detonated 1,434 feet (437m) above Frenchman Flat at 13:46 GMT with a yield of 22 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, a proof test of the MK-6 “Freddy”, after being dropped by a B-50 bomber as the final test of Operation Ranger, releasing an unknown quantity of Iodine-131 and other radionuclides into the air. One hour after detonation readings of 15.5 roentgens per hour (R/h) at ground zero and 8.0 R/h about 200 meters from
ground zero were documented. 11th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.82485, -115.96708.
1975 - ‘Portola’ and ‘Portola-Larkin’ detonated simultaneously at 15:30 GMT in the same vertical shaft at depths of 650 feet (198m) and 899 feet (274m) respectively beneath Yucca Flat area U10 with a combined yield of 350 tons from the two LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Bedrock, causing a 3.5 magnitude ground shock and venting 10 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 765th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17836, -116.05243.
-- 43 minutes later at 16:13 GMT, ‘Teleme’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,000 feet (304m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 with a yield of 6 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Bedrock, causing a 4.5 magnitude ground shock and creating a 492 foot (150m) diameter subsidence crater. 766th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11422, -116.02166.
1988 – ‘935’, ‘936’ and ‘937’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:19 GMT with a combined yield of 5 kilotons, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock. ‘935’ was a weapons development device, ‘936’ and ‘937’ were safety tests. 692nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7664, 78.0287.
FEBRUARY 7TH
No nuclear weapons tests were conducted by any country anywhere in the world on this day.
FEBRUARY 8TH
U.S. tests: 7
Total yield: 118.1 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Stillwater’ detonated in a vertical shaft 595 feet (181m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 3.1 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device as part of a test to determine the minimum boosted yield for a fission device during Operation Nougat, creating a 406 foot (124m) diameter subsidence crater and venting undetermined gaseous radiation at surface ground zero during drill-back operations. 208th U.S test. Coordinates: 37.1272, -116.05354.
1963 - ‘Casselman’ detonated in a vertical shaft 994 feet (302m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 6 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Storax, creating a 446 foot (136m) subsidence crater and venting 6,300 curies of Xenon over a period of 10 hours during drill-back operations. 303rd U.S test. Coordinates: 37.14891, -116.05265.
-- One second later, ‘Hatchie’ detonated in a vertical shaft 200 feet (60m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 with an unreported yield from the LLNL weapons development device - but certainly low given its shallow depth of burial - during Operation Storax. 304th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1259, -116.03962.
-- Two hours and thirty minutes later at 18:30 GMT, ‘Acushi’ and ‘Ferret’ detonated simultaneously in separate adjacent shafts beneath Yucca Flat area U3 with yields of 9 kilotons and <20 kilotons respectively from the two LANL weapon development devices during Operation Storax. 305th and 306th U.S. tests.
‘Acushi’ coordinates: 37.04608, -116.0218, Depth: 855 feet (260m), 515 foot (157m) diameter subsidence crater.
‘Ferret’ coordinates: 37.05832, -116.03, Depth: 1,068 feet (325m)
1967 - ‘Ward’ detonated in a vertical shaft 844 feet (257m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 15:15 GMT with a yield of 11 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Latchkey, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock and creating a 259 foot (79m) diameter subsidence crater. 488th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16748, -116.04801.
1979 - ‘Quinella’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,900 feet (579m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 at 20:00 GMT with a yield of 89 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Quicksilver, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock and creating a 787 foot (240m) diameter subsidence crater. 850th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.10243, -116.05571.
FEBRUARY 9TH
U.S. tests: 1
Total yield: 7.1 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Armadillo’ detonated in a vertical shaft 786 feet (239m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of 7.1 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Nougat, creating a 590 foot (180m) subsidence crater and venting 120 curies of unspecified radionuclides from surface ground zero for a period of 10 minutes after detonation and as gaseous radioactivity during post-shot drilling. 209th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04354, -116.03981.
Side Note: At detonation, 'Armadillo' created a 123 foot (37m) diameter cavity at the underground shot point before collapsing on itself.
FEBRUARY 10TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 2 (4 devices)
Total yield: 145 kilotons
The Details:
1972 – ‘392’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 05:03 GMT with a yield of 16 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.27 magnitude ground shock and venting unknown quantities of radionuclides. 355th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.02495, 78.87728.
1985 -, ‘876’, ‘877’, and ‘878’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:27 GMT with a combined yield of 62 kilotons from the three weapons development devices, causing a 5.83 magnitude ground shock. 659th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.89917, 78.77939.
1989 - ‘Texarkana’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,653 feet (504m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 20:06 GMT with a yield of 67 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Cornerstone, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock and creating a 787 foot (240m) diameter subsidence crater. 1,020th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.07678, -116.00137.
FEBRUARY 11TH
U.S. tests: 3
Total yield: ~ 18 kilotons
The Details:
1970 - ‘Diana Mist’ detonated in a tunnel 1,319 (402m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U12 at 19:15 GMT with a yield of 12 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a DOD weapons effects test during Operation Mandrel, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock. 633 U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.20123, -116.2061.
1983 - ‘Coalora’ detonated in a vertical shaft 899 feet (274m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:00 GMT with a yield <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Phalanx. 918th U.S test. Coordinates: 37.05622, -116.04613.
1987 – ‘Tornero’ detonated in a vertical shaft 979 feet (298m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:45 GMT with a yield of 6 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Musketeer, causing a 4.5 magnitude ground shock and creating a 295 foot (90m) diameter subsidence crater. 991st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01067, -116.04543.
FEBRUARY 12TH
U.S. tests: 6
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: ~ 1,198.33 kilotons
The Details:
1964 - ‘Solendon’ detonated in a vertical shaft 493 feet (150m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:38 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Niblick, venting 10 curies of Iodine and Xenon for 2 hours from surface ground zero cables and for 10 hours during drill-back operations. 353rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.05659, -116.02998.
1965 - ‘Alpaca’ detonated in a vertical shaft 736 feet (224m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:10 GMT with a yield of 330 tons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, venting 40,000 curies of Krypton, Strontium, Rubidium, Iodine, Xenon, and Cesium from surface ground zero over a period of 8-1/2 hours following detonation. 400th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.165, -116.07744.
1969 - ‘Cypress’ detonated in a tunnel 1,180 feet (359m) beneath Rainer Mesa area U12 at 16:18 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Bowline. 589th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16901, -116.2116.
1976 - ‘Fontina’ detonated in a vertical shaft 3,999 feet (1,219m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 14:45 GMT with a yield of 900 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, a B-83 thermonuclear bomb, during Operation Anvil, causing a 6.3 magnitude ground shock. 790th U.S test. Coordinates: 37.27136, -116.48934.
1982 - ‘Molbo’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,093 feet (638m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 14:55 GMT with a yield of 80 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Praetorian, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock and venting a small quantity of Tritium and Krypton during gas sampling operations. 900th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.22428, -116.46354.
-- Thirty minutes later at 15:25 GMT, ‘Hosta’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,098 feet (639m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 with a yield of 140 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock. 901st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.34792, -116.31698.
1989 - ‘966’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 04:15 GMT with a yield of 63 kilotons, causing a 5.86 magnitude ground shock. 709th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.9174, 78.71217.
FEBRUARY 13TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 2 (3 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: 317.3 kilotons
The Details:
1960 - ‘Gerboise Bleue’ detonated atop a 344 feet (105m) tower near Reggane, French Algeria at 07:04 GMT with a yield of 65 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test. 1st French test. Coordinates: 26.31170, -0.05720.
1964 - ‘Bunker’ detonated in a vertical shaft 744 feet (226m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 15:30 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Niblick, causing a 4.0 magnitude ground shock and venting 420 curies of Xenon at surface ground zero for a period of 20 minutes following detonation and again for 5 hours during drill-back operations. 354th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13201, -116.03325.
1966 - ‘253’ detonated in a tunnel 1,049 feet (320m) beneath Degelan Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:58 GMT with a yield of 125 kilotons during a peaceful research test, causing a 6.26 magnitude ground shock. 245th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8089, 78.121.
Side Note: ‘253’ was the highest yield test conducted within Degelen Mountain.
1978 - ‘Campos’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,049 feet (319m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 21:53 GMT with a yield of 800 tons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Cresset, causing a 3.8 magnitude ground shock and venting 1,300 curies of Xenon and Iodine over a 22 hour period during drill-back operations. 828th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12607, -116.03261.
1988 - ‘938’ and ‘939’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:05 GMT with a combined yield of 125 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.97 magnitude ground shock. 693rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.93289, 78.86705.
FEBRUARY 14TH
U.S. tests: 2
French tests: 1
Total yield: ~ 353.7 kilotons
The Details:
1964 - ‘Opale’ (Michelle) detonated in a tunnel 1,158 feet (353m) beneath Taourirt Tan Afella near In Ekker, French Algeria at 11:00 GMT with a yield of 3.7 kilotons from the weapons development/peaceful applications device, causing a 4.52 magnitude ground shock. 10th French test. Coordinates: 24.03495, 5.03666.
Side Note: ‘Opale’ was the 6th of 13 tunnel detonations conducted within Taourirt Tan Afella. Four of the tests vented massive amounts of radionuclides and material when stemming failed or the mountain was breached.
1973 - ‘Alumroot’ detonated in a vertical shaft 600 feet (182m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 15:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Toggle. 718th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14704, -116.05096.
1976 - ‘Cheshire’ detonated in a vertical shaft 3,829 feet (1,167m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 11:30 GMT with a yield of 350 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Anvil, causing a 6.0 magnitude ground shock. 791st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.24261, -116.42113.
FEBRUARY 15TH
U.S. tests: 5 (One involving a fatality)
Total yield: 105.7 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Hardhat’ detonated in a vertical shaft 943 feet (287m) beneath Area 15 of the NTS at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 5.7 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a weapons effects test on underground structure hardening (bunkers) during Operation Nougat, venting an unknown quantity and type of radionuclides when shaft stemming failed. 210th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.22626, -116.06018.
Side Note: 'Hardhat' created a 66 foot (20m) diameter cavity at the underground shot point.
1963 - ‘Chipmunk’ detonated in a vertical shaft 194 feet (59m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a safety experiment. 307th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.049, -116.03249.
1979 - ‘Kloster’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,760 feet (536m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 18:05 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Quicksilver, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock, creating a 295 foot (90m) diameter subsidence crater and venting radioactive gases over a period of 30 hours during drill-back operations. 851st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15196, -116.07271
1984 - ‘Midas Myth/Milagro’ detonated in a tunnel 1,184 feet (360m) 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 Fusileer, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock and the unexpected collapse of surface ground zero resulting in the death of one person and injuries to 14 others. 938th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.22135, -116.181572.
1988 – ‘Kernville’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,777 feet (541m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 18:10 GMT with a yield of 60 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Touchstone, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock. 1,005th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.31431, -116.47253.
FEBRUARY 16TH
U.S. tests: 2 (3 devices)
Russian tests: 2 (3 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: 99.1 kilotons
The Details:
1965 - ‘Merlin’ detonated in a vertical shaft 971 feet (296m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:30 GMT with a yield of 10.1 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, creating a 508 foot (155m) diameter subsidence crater and venting gaseous radiation from surface ground zero for a period of 5 days. 401st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.05163, -116.02452.
Side Note: 'Merlin' created a 99 foot (30m) diameter cavity at the underground shot point.
1966 – ‘Grenat’ (Georgette) detonated in a tunnel 1,322 feet (403m) beneath Taourirt Tan Afella near In Ekker, Algeria at 11:00 GMT with a yield of 13 kilotons from the weapons development/peaceful purposes device, causing a 4.94 magnitude ground shock. 17th French test. Final French test conducted in Algeria. Coordinates: 24.04475, 5.04132.
1973 - ‘423’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:03 GMT with a yield of 42 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock. 379th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8061, 78.1034.
1977 - ‘Cove’ and ‘Oarlock’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts 1,042 feet (317m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:53 GMT with yields of 3 kilotons and 8 kilotons respectively from the two LANL weapons development devices during Operation Fulcrum, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock and creating subsidence craters 262 feet (80m) and 524 feet (160m) in diameter respectively. 808th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00662, -116.0321 and 37.01346, -116.02937 respectively.
1979 - ‘629’ and ‘630’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen, Semipalatinsk at 04:04 GMT with a combined yield of 23 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.39 magnitude ground shock. 515th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.96553, 77.67082.
FEBRUARY 17TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 15 kilotons
The Details:
1972 - ‘Dianthus’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,000 feet (304m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 19:02 GMT with a yield of 3.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Grommet, causing a 4.3 magnitude ground shock, creating a 295 foot (90m) diameter subsidence crater, and venting 18 curies of Xenon over a period of 27 hours during gas sampling operations. 693rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16566, -116.05711.
1983 - ‘Cheedam’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,125 feet (343m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Phalanx, causing a 4.0 magnitude ground shock, creating a 360 foot (110m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Tritium, Krypton, and Cesium over a period of 27 minutes during drill-back and gas sampling operations. 919th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16281, -116.06409.
1989 - ‘967’ detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:01 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 710th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8235, 78.068.
FEBRUARY 18TH
U.S. tests: 4
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: ~ 11.201 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘Wasp’ detonated 750 feet (230m) above Yucca Flat area 7 at 19:59 GMT with a yield of 1.2 kilotons from the LANL compact uranium core, light weight implosion device after being dropped from a B-36 bomber as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Teapot, releasing 160,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere as well as hundreds of other radionuclides. The fallout cloud passed over Minnesota on February 21. 50th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0866, -116.0228.
1964 - ‘Bonefish’ detonated in a vertical shaft 986 feet (300m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:37:19 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Niblick, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock, creating a 590 foot (180m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 19 curies of Xenon and Iodine during drill-back operations. 355th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.05937, -116.03405.
-- Eighteen seconds later at 15:37:37 GMT, ‘Mackerel’ detonated in a separate vertical shaft 1,094 feet (333m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Niblick. 356th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.09558, -116.05159.
1965 - ‘Wishbone’ detonated in a vertical shaft 588 feet (179m) beneath Frenchman Flat area U5 at 16:18 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 4.54 magnitude ground shock, creating a 295 foot (90m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 6,900 curies of Iodine, Xenon, and Krypton from surface ground zero for a period of 11 hours and 20 minutes and from the ventilation system during drill-back operations for a period of 12 days . 402nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.81798, -115.9501.
1970 - ‘345’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:02 GMT with a yield of 0.001 kilotons as part of a safety test. 317th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.73395, 78.09982.
FEBRUARY 19TH
U.S. tests: 4
Russian tests: 2 (3 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: ~81.9 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Chinchilla I’ detonated in a vertical shaft 492 feet (150m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of 1.9 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Nougat, causing a 4.2 magnitude ground shock, creating a 300 foot (92m) diameter subsidence crater and venting an undetermined type and amount of gaseous radiation from surface ground zero over a period of four minutes after detonation. 211th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04905, -116.03023.
1962 - ‘Codsaw’ detonated in a vertical shaft 696 feet (212m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 17:50 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device - a W-45 warhead - causing a 2.0 magnitude ground shock, creating a 229 foot (70m) diameter subsidence crater and venting an estimated 1,000 curies of unknown radionuclides from surface ground zero. 212th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12743, -116.03806.
1965 - ‘Seersucker’ detonated in a vertical shaft 467 feet (142m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 15:28 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, venting <410 curies of Krypton, Rubidium and Xenon from surface ground zero for 22 minutes and Xenon and Iodine for 31.5 hours during drill-back operations. 403rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11723, -116.03185.
1975 - ‘Bilge’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,044 feet (318m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 20:10 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bedrock, venting small amounts of Xenon during cement-back operations. 767th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00219, -116.02527.
1977 - ‘Ulysse B’ detonated beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 23:30 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons, causing a 4.81 magnitude ground shock. 71st French test. Coordinates: -21.87442, -138.86477.
1982 - ‘757’ and ‘758’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:56 GMT with a combined yield of 24 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 588th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8136, 78.0319.
1984 - ‘831’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:57 GMT with a yield of 49 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.77 magnitude ground shock. 632nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.90038, 78.74324.
FEBRUARY 20TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 3 (5 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: 128 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘20’ detonated atop a R-5M rocket over Missile Test Range with ZERO yield. A fizzle. Unnumbered Russian test. No coordinates provided.
1964 - ‘Klickitat’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,616 feet (492m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 15:30 GMT with a yield of 70 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a peaceful PLOWSHARE device development experiment to produce an improved nuclear explosive for earth excavation applications during Operation Niblick, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock, creating a 918 foot (280m) diameter subsidence crater and venting <10 curies of radioactive Iodine and Xenon during drill-back operations. 357th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15084,-116.04098.
1975 - ‘472’, ‘473’, and ‘474’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:33 GMT as part of a weapons effects test with an undisclosed yield from the three devices. 417th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.77837, 78.00296.
-- At the same time, ‘475’ detonated in a separate tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk with a yield of 55 kilotons, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock. 418th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.79516, 78.0084.
1982 – ‘Aérope’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 17:30 GMT with a yield of 3 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.58 magnitude ground shock. 125th French test. Coordinates: -21.88349, -138.95549.
FEBRUARY 21ST
U.S. tests: 4
Total yield: ~204 kilotons
The Details:
1963 - ‘Kaweah’ detonated in a vertical shaft 745 feet (227m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 19:47:00 GMT with a yield of 3 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a “peaceful purposes” device development test as part of the Plowshares program during Operation Storax, venting over 40,000 curies of Xenon from the post-shot drill hole for 22 hours during drill-back operations. 308th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12026, -116.04659.
Side Note: ‘Kaweah’ was intended to produce heavy isotopes and provide radio-chemical analysis data for the Plowshares program ‘Coach’ shot scheduled later in 1963 but cancelled.
-- Eight seconds later at 19:47:08, ‘Carmel’ detonated in a vertical shaft 536 feet (163m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LLNL weapons development device, venting 7,200 curies of Xenon from its post-shot drill hole for 2 hours during drill-back operations. 309th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15477, -116.08078.
1968 - ‘Torch’ detonated in a vertical shaft 789 feet (240m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie. 532nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04161, -116.00269.
-- Thirty minutes later at 15:30 GMT, ‘Knox’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,115 feet (664m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 with a yield of 200 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 1,099 foot (335m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 160 curies of Xenon from the ventilation line over a period of 3 days during drill-back operations. 533rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11633, -116.05508.
FEBRUARY 22ND
U.S. tests: 2
Total yield: ~2 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘Moth’ detonated atop a 300 foot (90m) tower on Frenchman Flat area 3 at 13:45 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the LANL W-30 proof test device during Operation Teapot, spewing 320,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 51st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0477, -116.022.
958 - ‘Venus’ detonated in a tunnel 100 feet (30m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U12 at 01:00 GMT with a yield of 500 kilograms from the LLNL XW-47 weapons development primary device during Project 58A as part of a one point safety test which was partially successful. 118th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.19475, -116.20068
FEBRUARY 23RD
U.S. tests: 4
French tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 1,197.9 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘55’ detonated 8,200 feet (2,500m) above Novaya Zemlya with a yield of 860 kilotons after being air-dropped. 52nd Russian test. Coordinates: 74.3, 53.8.
1962 - ‘Cimarron’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,000 feet (304m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 11.9 kilotons from the LLNL advanced weapons development device during Operation Nougat, creating a 485 foot (148m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 750 curies of Xenon for a period of 3.5 hours during drill-back operations. 213th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12881, -116.04918.
Side note: 'Cimarron' created a 107 foot (33m) diameter cavity at the underground shot point.
1967 - ‘Persimmon’ detonated in a vertical shaft 981 feet (299m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 18:34 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Latchkey, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock and creating a 561 foot (171m) diameter subsidence crater. 489th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01756, -116.01662.
-- 16 minutes later at 18:50 GMT, ‘Agile’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,400 feet (731m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 with a yield of 200 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Latchkey, causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock and creating a 902 foot (275m) diameter subsidence crater. 490th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12681, -116.06726.
1978 - ‘Reblochon’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,160 feet (658m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 120 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Cresset, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock and venting 36 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 829th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12363,-116.0647.
1980 - ‘Thyetse’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 18:03 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons, causing a 4.32 magnitude ground shock. 101st French test. Coordinates: -21.88297, -138.96938.
FEBRUARY 24TH
U.S. tests: 3 (4 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: ~25 kilotons
The Details:
1962 – ‘Platypus’ detonated in a vertical shaft 198 feet (57m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, an XW-54, as part of a cratering experiment during Operation Nougat, venting an estimated 750 curies of unspecified radionuclides for a period of one minute from surface ground zero. 214th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0483, -116.03264.
- Side note: The W-54 was the smallest device built at this point in time. It was used in the Davy Crockett Recoilless Rifle, Special Atomic Demolition Munition, and Falcon air to air missile delivery systems, each with their own low yields.
1966 - ‘Rex’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,203 feet (671m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U20 at 15:55 GMT with a yield of 19 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock and venting 310 curies of Xenon over a period of 5 days during drill-back operations. 442nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.27178, -116.43472.
Side Note: 'Rex' created a 99 foot (30m) diameter cavity at the underground shot point.
1982- ‘Déiphobe’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 18:15 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton. 126th French test. Coordinates: -21.80000, -138.90000.
1989 - ‘Kawich-Red’ and ‘Kawich-Black’ detonated simultaneously in the same shaft 1,214 feet (370m) and 1,414 feet (431m) respectively beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 16:15 GMT with a combined yield of 5 kilotons from the two LLNL devices during Operation Cornerstone, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock and venting 10 curies of Xenon in 19 intermittent releases totaling 6.9 hours during drill-back operations. ‘Kawich-Red’ was a weapons development test and ‘Kawich-Black’ a safety test. 1,018th U.S. test. Coordinates: -21.85484, -138.81437.
FEBRUARY 25TH
U.S. tests: 2
Total yield: ~51 kilotons
The Details:
1970 - ‘Cumarin’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,340 feet (408m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:28 GMT with a yield of 51 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock and creating a 718 foot (219m) diameter subsidence crater. 634th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.03655,-116.00013.
1981 - ‘Seco’ detonated in a vertical shaft 660 feet (200m) beneath Yucca Flat area U8 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Guardian. 884th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.18185,-116.08512.
FEBRUARY 26TH
U.S. tests: 2 (4 devices)
Russian tests: 2
Total yield: 276 kilotons
The Details:
1967 - ‘274’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:57 GMT with a yield of 130 kilotons as part of a fundamental science test, causing a 6.03 magnitude ground shock. 264th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7457, 78.0823.
1970 - ‘Yannigan-Red,’ ‘Yannigan-Blue,’ and ‘Yannigan-White’ detonated simultaneously in separate adjacent vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:30 GMT with yields of 70, 20, and 30 kilotons respectively from the three LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Mandrel, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock and venting an estimated total of 320 curies of Xenon from all three during drill-back operations. 635th U.S. test.
‘Yannigan-Red’ – Coordinates: 37.11631,-116.06232, Depth of burial: 1,275 feet (388m), created 941 foot (287m) diameter subsidence crater. Nine intermittent releases from the ventilation line totaling 6.92 hours.
‘Yannigan-Blue’ – Coordinates: 37.11375,-116.06664, Depth of burial: 1,293 feet (394m), created 656 foot (200m) diameter subsidence crater. Four intermittent releases from the ventilation line totaling 2.75 hours.
‘Yannigan-White’ – Coordinates: 37.11793,-116.06708, Depth of burial: 1,191 feet (363m), created 794 foot (230m) diameter subsidence crater. Five intermittent releases from the ventilation line totaling 2.83 hours.
1976 - ‘Shallows’ detonated in a vertical shaft 803 feet (244m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:50 GMT with a yield of 2.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Anvil, causing a 42 magnitude ground shock, creating a 492 foot (150m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 2 curies of Xenon during cement-back operations. 792nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02851,-116.01649.
1987 - ‘895’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:58 GMT with a yield of 24 kilotons as part of a fundamental science test, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 669th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8299, 78.0835.
FEBRUARY 27TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 2
French tests: 3
Total yield: 2,033 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ’56’ detonated 8,202 feet (2,500m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 07:59 GMT with a yield of 250 kilotons from the thermonuclear device after being air-dropped by a bomber. 53rd Russian test. Coordinates: 74.4, 53.6.
- Two hours and 25 minutes later at 10:24 GMT, ‘57’ detonated at an unspecified altitude above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya with a yield of 1,500 kilotons after being air-dropped by a bomber. 54th Russian test. Coordinates: 74.3, 54.
1965 – ‘Saphir’ (Monique) detonated in a tunnel 2,575 feet (785m) beneath Taourirt Tan Afella near In Ekker, French Algeria at 11:30 GMT with a yield of 127 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock. 13th French test. Coordinates: 24.05871, 5.03133.
1974 - ‘Latir’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,102 feet (640m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Arbor, causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock and creating a 754 foot (230m) diameter subsidence crater. 743rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1044, -116.05396.
1978 - ‘Polyphème‘ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 23:00 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the weapons development device, causing a 4.03 magnitude ground shock. 80th French test. Coordinates: -21.87528, -138.86306.
1981 - ‘Brotéas’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 23:28 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.95 magnitude ground shock.. 113th French test. Coordinates: -21.80479, -138.8418.
FEBRUARY 28TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: ~15,000,165 kilotons. In excess of 15 megatons.
The Details:
1954 – ‘Bravo’ detonated 6.5 feet (2m) above the dry surface of an artificial island built on the reef off Namu Island, Bikini Atoll at 18:45 GMT with a yield of 15,000,000 tons (15 megatons) from the LANL weapons development device, an experimental TX-21 thermonuclear bomb, during Operation Castle, creating a crater in the atoll 6,510 feet (1,984m) wide and 250 feet (76m) deep, and creating the worst radiological disaster in U.S. nuclear weapons testing history. 44th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.69722, 165.27486.
