WORLDWIDE TESTING IN JULY
JULY 1ST
U.S. tests: 3
French tests: 3
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: ≈53.2 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - ‘Coulomb-A’ detonated on the surface of Yucca Flat area at 07:30 GMT with ZERO yield from the LANL weapons development device, an XW-31, as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Plumbbob. 92nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.053, -116.034.
1958 - ‘Sequoia’ detonated 6.5 feet (2m) above Eniwetok Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored off Runit (Yvonne) island at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 5.2 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, an XW-50 primary, during Operation Hardtack I. 142nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.54061, 162.35106.
1968 - ‘Galit’ detonated 1,940 feet (590m) beneath Bolshoy Azgir, Kazakhstan at 04:02 GMT with a yield of 27 kiloton as part of a cavity formation test, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock. 286th Russian test. Coordinates: 47.909, 47.912.
1971 - ‘Diamond Mine’ detonated in a tunnel 873 feet (266m) beneath NTS area 16 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons as part of a Vela Uniform joint verification nuclear test seismic detection experiment during the first detonation of Operation Grommet. 6723nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01148, -116.20427.
Side Note: The Vela Program consisted of three parts used to detect nuclear detonations: Vela Sierra using aircraft air sampling to detect atmospheric detonations, Vela Uniform using seismic monitoring stations to detect underground detonations, and Vela Hotel using satellites equipped with Bhangmeters to detect the double light flash of surface detonations.
1974 - ‘Belier’ detonated 16 feet (5m) above Moruroa Atoll at 17:30 GMT with ZERO yield as part of a one-point safety test. 56th French test. Coordinates: -21.78126, -138.90472.
1978 - ‘Xanthois’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton. 83rd French test. Coordinates: -21.80000, -138.9000.
1982 - ‘Antilokos’ detonated in a shaft beneath Moruroa Atoll at 17:02 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons, causing a 5.28 magnitude ground shock. 131st French test. Coordinates: -21.86654, -138.90449.
JULY 2ND
U.S. tests: 2
French tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 632.3 kilotons
The Details:
1956 - ‘Mohawk’ detonated atop a 300 foot (90m) tower on Eberiru (Ruby) Island on Eniwetok Atoll at 18:06 GMT with a yield of 360 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device - a “Swan" primary and "Flute” secondary device - during Operation Redwing, creating a 1,340 foot (408m) diameter crater 8 feet (2.4m) deep caused when the coral seabed collapsed from the force of the blast. 81st U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.62717, 162.29393.
1958 - ‘Cedar’ detonated 11 feet (3.4m) above the surface of Bikini Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored off Namu (Charlie) Island on Bikini Atoll at 17:30 GMT with a yield of 220 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device - a 2-stage "clean" thermonuclear device with a predicted fission yield of 30 kilotons - during Operation Hardtack I. 143rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.69722, 165.27486.
1966 - ‘Aldébaran’ detonated 33 feet (10m) above Moruroa Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored in the Dindon zone at 15:34 GMT with a yield of 28 kilotons from the experimental tactical weapon which did not fire until the third try. 18th French test. Coordinates: -21.87, -139.
1967 - ‘Arcturus’ detonated 9.8 feet (3m) above Moruroa Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored in the Denise zone at 17:30 GMT with a yield of 22 kilotons. 26th French test. Coordinates: -21.79500, -138.89200.
Side Note: ‘Arcturus’ was intended to be detonated beneath a balloon, instead it was fired at sea level, resulting in severe downwind fallout.
1971 - ‘Globus-4’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,770 feet (540m) beneath Komi, Russia at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 2.3 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test. 342nd Russian test. Coordinates: 67.28486, 63.46342.
JULY 3RD
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 914 kilotons
The Details:
1970 - ‘Licorne’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,600 feet (500m) above Moruroa Atoll at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 914 kilotons from the TN-60 thermonuclear device. 36th French test.
Coordinates: -21.80802, -138.91727.
JULY 4TH
Russian tests: 3 (6 devices)
French tests: 2
Total Yield: 243 kilotons
The Details:
1969 - ‘323’ and ‘324’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:46 GMT with a combined yield of 15 kilotons, causing a 5.24 magnitude ground shock. 302nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.746, 78.1113.
1971 – ‘Japet’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 754 feet (230m) above Moruroa Atoll at 21:30 GMT with a yield of 9 kilotons from the weapons development device. 42nd French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88
1976 - ‘515’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 02:56 GMT with a yield of 65 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.85 magnitude ground shock. 444th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.90417, 78.89944.
1982 - 765’, ‘766’, and ‘767’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 01:17 GMT with a combined yield of 136 kilotons from the three weapons related devices, causing a 6.08 magnitude ground shock. 591st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.95861, 78.81167.
1990 - ‘Anticlée’ detonated beneath Moruroa Atoll lagoon at 17:59 GMT with a yield of 18 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.25 magnitude ground shock. 196th French test. Coordinates -21.83987, -138.91277.
JULY 5TH
Russian tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 558.3 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - ‘Hood’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,510 feet (460m) above Yucca Flat area B9 at 11:40 GMT with a yield of 74 kilotons from the LLNL thermonuclear device during Operation Plumbbob, releasing 11 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 93rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1347, -116.0417.
Side Notes: ‘Hood’ was the largest atmospheric detonation conducted in the Continental U.S. and a test of a two-stage thermonuclear device even though the AEC stated at the time that no thermonuclear tests were being conducted in Nevada. But then they also lied about fallout. The device used a boosted “Swan” primary which gave yields of 12-19 kilotons in other tests during Operation Plumbbob. About seven kilotons of the overall yield was from the fusion reaction, the reminder from fissioning of the depleted uranium bomb casing.
‘Hood’ included ground troop maneuvers by 2,500 troops and air operations involving 124 aircraft as part of Exercise Desert Rock VII. Marine Second Lieutenant Thomas Saffer was placed in a trench two miles from the device and later wrote of the experience.
“I shall never forget my feelings and sensations during the countdown ... when the last ten seconds of the countdown began and we assumed the kneeling position, I wondered, "Why is my very own government intent on killing me?" My body shook uncontrollably. Perspiration streamed down my palms and my eyes filled with tears. I began to hyperventilate and was convinced I would die of a heart attack if not as a result of the bomb's devastation. I could neither control nor conceal my body's bizarre behavior, and I feared the men nearest me in the trench would notice it. I felt we were there to be sacrificed and was certain we would all perish. I wanted to stand and yell, "Stop! Stop! You must not explode that bomb! We don't deserve to die this way!" Instead, I prayed harder than I had at any other time in my life and asked to be spared.”
Then Saffer heard a “click” and he was enveloped in the unbearable heat and intense light of the detonation and subsequent ground shock. The blast wave would follow seconds later.
1958 - ‘Dogwood’ detonated 9.8 feet (3m) above the surface of Eniwetok Atoll lagoon atop on a barge anchored off Enjebi (Janet) island at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 397 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device using a “Piccolo” secondary during Operation Hardtack I. 144th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.66056, 162.22663.
1978 - ‘580’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 02:47 GMT with a yield of 87 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.77 magnitude ground shock. 488th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.90376, 78.86647.
1991 - ‘Coronis’ detonated in a shaft beneath Moruroa Atoll lagoon at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 0.3 kilotons, causing a 3.8 magnitude ground shock. 203rd French test. Coordinates: -21.8, -138.9.
JULY 6TH
French tests: 2
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 130.5 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Sedan’ detonated 623 feet (190m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 104 kilotons from the LLNL W56 warhead as the first test of Operation Storax, blowing a huge hole in the ground 1,280 feet (390m) wide and 320 feet (97m) deep, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock and releasing 15 million curies of Iodine-131 into the environment. 264th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17695, -116.04626.
Side Note: Plowshares was a program to investigate peaceful uses for nuclear explosives, beating swords into plowshares. ‘Sedan’ was the second Plowshares detonation and was to determine the potential of using "clean" thermonuclear devices to produce large craters for canal or harbor construction, move a lot of dirt quickly. This was one of Dr. Edward Teller’s harebrained ideas that allowed him to circumvent the limited test ban treaty. ‘Sedan’ proved you could blow a big radioactive hole in the ground.
’Sedan’ blew 12 million tons of alluvium from beneath the desert floor of which 8 million tons fell outside the crater which measures 1,280 feet (390m) wide and 320 feet deep, a void of 6.6 million cubic feet. Following detonation, a circular area of the desert floor five miles across was obscured by rapidly-expanding dust clouds moving out horizontally from the base surge as tons of dirt fell back to earth, akin to pyroclastic surges from a volcano. One hour after detonation, the crater lip registered over 500 Roentgens of radiation per hour. The radioactive fallout from ‘Sedan’ contaminated more U.S. residents than any other nuclear test, seven-percent of the total radioactive fallout from all atmospheric nuclear tests at NTS. Even today, spending too much time at ‘Sedan’ crater can be harmful. ‘Sedan’ crater is visible to the naked eye from space. You can see a brief video of the ‘Sedan’ detonation at the following link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssLZ4bUTDYM
The Plowshares Program was abandoned due to unworkable residual radiation hazards. Duh.
1972 - ‘402’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 01:30 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock. 362nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7375, 78.1101.
1977 - ‘Ajax’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 22:59 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 75th French test. Coordinates -21.79001, -138.86049.
1980 - ‘Chrysès’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 17:27 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons, causing a 4.77 magnitude ground shock. Coordinates: -21.86662, -138.82906.
JULY 7TH
U.S. tests: 3
French tests: 2
Russian tests: 2
Total Yield: 528.72 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Little Feller II’ detonated 3 feet (1m) above the surface of NTS area 18 at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 0.22 kilotons (22 tons) from the Sandia National Lab device as part of a DOD weapons effects test during Operation Sunbeam. 265th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11906, -116.30381.
Side Note: ‘Little Feller II’ was a W-54 Davy Crockett tactical warhead intended to be fired by Army troops from a recoilless rifle. The warhead weighed 90 pounds.
1968 - ‘Capella’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,520 feet (463m) above Moruroa Atoll at 22:00 GMT with a yield of 115 kilotons. 27th French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1974 - ‘Gémeaux’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,024 feet (312m) above Moruroa Atoll at 23:15 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons. 57th French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1978 - ‘Satz’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,033 feet (315m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LLNL device during Operation Cresset, causing a 4.0 magnitude ground shock, creating a 262 foot 80m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Tritium and Krypton during gas sampling operations. 838th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11185, -116.07796.
1979 - ‘641’ and ‘642’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 03:46 GMT with a combined yield of 97 kilotons, causing a 5.84 magnitude ground shock. 522nd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.04, 78.98957.
1987 ‘Neva 2’ detonated in a vertical shaft 4,970 feet (1,515m) beneath Yakutia, Russia at 00:00 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons as part of an oil stimulation test, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 679th Russian test. Coordinates: 61.5, 112.85.
1988 - ‘Alamo’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,041 feet (622m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U10 at 15:05 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Touchstone, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock. 1,012th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.25239, -116.37756.
JULY 8TH
U.S. tests: 2
French tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 1,963 kilotons
The Details:
1956 - ‘Apache’ detonated 6.5 feet (2m) above Eniwetok Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored in the ‘Mike’ crater where Elugelab (Flora) island once was before being vaporized by the Ivy Mike detonation at 18:06 GMT with a yield of 1,850 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, a two-stage XW-27 device with a Zither secondary, during Operation Redwing. 82nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.66451, 162.19446.
1971 - ‘Miniata’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,735 feet (529m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 83 kilotons from the LLNL peaceful research device during Operation Grommet, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 810 foot (247m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 180 curies of Xenon-131 during drill-back operations over a period of 12 hours. This was a Plowshares Atoms for Peace detonation. 673rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11018, -116.05268.
1974 - ‘Kama-1’ detonated in a vertical shaft 6,990 feet (2,130m) beneath Bashkiria, Russia at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons as part of a cavity formation for oil and chemical waste water burial. 402nd Russian test. Coordinates: 53.7, 55.1.
1981 - ‘Lyncee’ detonated beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 22:23 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.32 magnitude ground shock. 117th French test. Coordinates: -21.88363, -138.95764.
JULY 9TH
U.S. tests: 2
French tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 1,404.05 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Starfish Prime’ detonated atop a Thor missile 248 miles (400km) above Johnston Island at 09:00 GMT with a yield of 1.4 megatons from the LANL W-49 warhead as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Fishbowl. 266th U.S. test.
Launch point coordinates: 16.73449, -169.52792.
Detonation point coordinates: 16.46842, -169.63008.
Side Note: This was the second attempt to launch the ’Starfish’ test. The first ‘Starfish’ was launched on June 20 but the Thor missile engine cut out 59 seconds after launch. The range safety officer sent the destruct signal 65 seconds after launch, and the missile was destroyed at 35,000 feet. The warhead was one-point safe and did not produce a nuclear yield but parts of the missile and plutonium from the warhead fell on Johnston Island, nearby Sand Island and into the surrounding ocean
The detonation of ‘Starfish Prime’ was seen 800 miles away in Hawaii and in Kwajelein 1,600 miles distant. The detonation created an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) resulting from the Compton Effect. Photons from gamma radiation of the detonation hit air molecules, knocking their electrons loose which rapidly builds up like a charged capacitor, then discharges downward as an intense pulse of electromagnetic radiation. This pulse overloaded electrical systems in Hawaii, tripped circuit breakers set off burglar alarms and shut-off street lights. This test proved that a very high altitude detonation of a nuclear weapon caused EMP which can burn out electrical and communications systems, and electronic equipment on earth. Disruptions in radio communications were also noted as the nuclear plasma generated by the detonation had a tendency to distort the ionosphere which prevented the proper propagation of radio waves, particularly high frequency radio, resulting in communication blackouts. In addition, the X-rays from the detonation fried several satellites, including TELSTAR I.
1971 - ‘Bracken’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,000 feet (304m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 0.25 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Grommet, causing a 3.4 magnitude ground shock and venting radioactive Xenon. 674th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1644, -116.0336.
1972 - ‘Fakel’ detonated in a vertical shaft 8,144 feet (2,483m) beneath Krasnodar, Ukraine at 07:00 GMT with a yield of 3.8 kilotons as part of an oil/gas fire extinguishing experiment, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock. 363rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.78, 35.4.
1980 - ‘Leda’ detonated in a shaft 920 feet (280m) beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 18:03 GMT with a yield of ZERO as part of a safety test. 109th French test. Coordinates: -21.78208, -138.87537.
- That is all for this day.
Side Note: For those who may want to see what various types of nuclear weapons would do to a city, or even your hometown, this link will take you to a way cool site where you can see those effects. http://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/
JULY 10TH
U.S. tests: 4
Russian tests: 6 (8 devices)
Total Yield: 5,739.301 kilotons
The Details:
1956 - ‘Navajo’ detonated 20 feet (6m) above Bikini Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored south of Yurochi (Dog) Island at 17:56 GMT with a yield of 4.5 megatons from the LANL weapons development device, a TX-21C, during Operation Redwing. 82nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.68743, 165.38263.
Side Note: ‘Navajo’ was a test of a "clean" thermonuclear device. The yield was 95% fusion, the highest known fusion yield of any U.S. test and thus the cleanest U.S. detonation to-date. It was based upon the “Shrimp” device detonated at Castle ‘Bravo’ with a yield of 15 megatons, 2-1/2 times its predicted yield.
Editor’s Note: Given what 4.5 megatons does to the surrounding area, it seems somewhat strange to call any nuclear detonation or device “clean.”
1962 - ‘Sunset’ detonated 4,900 feet (1,500m) above the Pacific Ocean near Christmas Island at 16:33 GMT with a yield of 1 megaton from the LANL weapons development device, a W-59, after being dropped by a B-52 during Operation Dominic I. 267th U.S. test. Coordinates: 1.6, -157.26.
1971 - ‘Globus-1’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,540 feet (470m) beneath Komi, Russia at 11:00 GMT with a yield of 2.3 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 344th Russian test. Coordinates: 64.16663, 55.26057.
1973 - ‘425’, ‘426’, and ‘427’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 01:27 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from “425’, an unknown yield from ‘426’ (both weapons-related) and 0.001 kilotons (1,000 kilograms) from ‘427’ (safety test), causing a 5.34 magnitude ground shock. 381st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.79111, 78.01278.
1974 - ‘454’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:57 GMT with a yield of 18 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock. 403rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7791, 78.1027.
1974 - ‘Escabosa’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,094 feet (638m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during the first detonation of during Operation Bedrock, causing a 5.70 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 1,148 foot (350m) diameter subsidence crater, and venting Xenon-133 during cement-back operations. 753rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.07498, -116.03269.
1981 - ‘Niza’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,119 feet (341m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Guardian, leaving a 360 foot (110m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Tritium and Krypton-85 during gas sampling and drill-back operations. 888th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12856, -116.03464.
1983 - ‘802’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,990 feet (910m) beneath Bolshoy Azgir, Kazakhstan at 04:00 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock. 613th Russian test. Coordinates: 51.36271, 53.30565.
-- Five minutes later at 04:04:59 GMT, ‘803’ detonated in a separate but adjacent shaft 3,020 feet (920m) deep with a yield of 15 kilotons, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock. 614th Russian test. Coordinates: 51.36604, 53.32581.
-- Five minutes later at 04:09:59 GMT, ‘804’ detonated in a separate but adjacent shaft 2,760 feet (840m) deep with a yield of 15 kilotons, causing yet another 5.3 magnitude ground shock. 615th Russian test. Coordinates: 51.38027, 53.33883.
--- These three tests were part of a cavity formation experiment for the storage of natural gas.
JULY 11TH
U.S. tests: 2
French tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 3,898 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Pamlico’ detonated 14,340 feet (4,370m) above the Christmas Island area at 15:37 GMT with a yield of 3,880 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, after being dropped from a B-52 in a parachute-retarded MK-36 drop case during Operation Dominic. ‘Pamlico’ was the last detonation at Christmas Island. 268th U.S. test. Coordinates: 1.39, -157.22.
-- One hour and eight minutes later at 16:45 GMT, ‘Johnnie Boy’ detonated 2 feet (.6m) beneath NTS area 18 with a yield of 0.5 kilotons from the LLNL device, a W-30, as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Sunbeam. 269th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12216, -116.33395.
Side Note: ‘Johnnie Boy’ was test of the Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition (TADM). The TADM consisted of a W-30 device installed in an X-113 case. The X-113 was 26 inches (66cm) in diameter and 70 inches (178cm) long, and looked like corrugated culvert pipe. The W-30 device was 22 inches (56cm) in diameter, 46.5 inches (118cm) long, weighed 435 pounds (197kg) and had a yield of 0.5 kilotons. The whole system weighed 840 pounds (381kg). 300 TADM were built starting in 1961. All were removed from the stockpile by 1966.
1976 - ‘Ménélas’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 00:30 GMT with a yield of 12 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.09 magnitude ground shock. 67th French test. Coordinates: -21.8662, -138.90735.
1981 – ‘Eryx’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 17:17 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.95 magnitude ground shock. 118th French test. Coordinates -21.78692, -138.86415.
1985 - ‘887’ detonated in a tunnel with Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:57 GMT with a yield of 0.5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.0 magnitude ground shock. 664th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.75024, 78.04326.
JULY 12TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 1 (2 devices)
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 9,423.5 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Poplar’ detonated 9.8 feet (3m) above Bikini Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored off Namu (Charlie) island in the ‘Castle Bravo’ crater at 03:30 GMT with a yield of 9.3 megatons from the LLNL weapons development device, a W-41 two-stage warhead, during Operation Hardtack I. 145th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.69704, 165.26708.
1968 - ‘302’ and ‘303’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel 564 feet (172m) beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 12:08 GMT with a combined yield of 24 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 287th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7547, 78.0899.
1977 - ‘Clytemnestre’ detonated in a shaft 920 feet (280m) beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 23:00 GMT with ZERO yield as part of a safety test. 76th French test. Coordinates: -21.78068, -138.88239.
1978 - ‘Lowball’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,853 feet (564m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 99 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Cresset, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 656 foot (200m) diameter subsidence crater. 839th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.07861, -116.04493.
1984 - 'Normanna’ detonated in a vertical shaft 660 feet (200m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 0.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Fusileer, causing a 3.6 magnitude ground shock. 946th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.19194, -116.03525.
JULY 13TH
U.S. tests: 1
Total Yield: 20 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Merrimac’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,356 feet (413m) beneath Yucca Flat at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Storax, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 711 foot (207m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 22,000 curies of radiation from surface ground zero and for 36 hours during drill-back operations. 270th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.05507, -116.03411.
JULY 14TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 2 (5 devices)
Total Yield: ≈157.6 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Scaevola’ detonated 20 feet (6m) above Eniwetok Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored off Runit (Yvonne) island at 04:00 GMT with zero nuclear yield from the LANL device, an XW-34, as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Hardtack I. 146th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.54662, 162.35199.
1962 - ‘Small Boy’ detonated atop a 9.8 foot (3m) tower on Frenchman Flat area 5 at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 1.6 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Sunbeam, releasing 270,000 curies of mixed fission products into the atmosphere. 271st U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.798, -115.932.
Side Note: ‘Small Boy’ tested missile silo hardening principles, specifically resistance against Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP).
1967 - ‘Vito’ detonated in a vertical shaft 298 feet (90m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 13:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a one-point safety test, the first detonation of Operation Crosstie. 507th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1652, -116.0458.
1979 - ‘643’, ‘644’, and ‘645’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft 3,220 feet (980 m) beneath Bolshoy Azgir, Kazakhstan at 04:59 GMT with yields of 7 kilotons each as part of a cavity formation experiment for the storage of natural gas, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock. 523rd Russian test. Coordinates: 47.88195, 48.12012.
1984 - ‘841’ and ‘843’ detonated simultaneously in the same shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 01:09 GMT with a combined yield of 135 kilotons, causing a 6.1 magnitude ground shock. 638th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.90944, 78.87722.
JULY 15TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 2 (3 devices)
French tests: 2
Total Yield: ≈524 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - ‘Diablo’ detonated atop a 490 foot (150m) tower on Yucca Flat area T2 at 11:30 GMT with a yield of 17 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Plumbbob, spewing 2.5 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 94th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1502, -116.1095.
Side Note: ‘Diablo’ was a two-stage thermonuclear device using a “Swan” boosted fission primary. Detonation of the device had been previously attempted on June 28. Prior to the attempt, over 2,500 Marines were placed in trenches two miles from the tower on which ‘Diablo’ sat. Seventeen Civil Defense volunteers entered buried shelters 1-1/4 miles from the tower. As the countdown continued, the arming signal was sent from the Control Point to charge the capacitors in the firing box. A meter at the Control Point measured the voltage as the countdown continued, “Five……four…..three…..two….one…..ZERO TIME!” But nothing happened. The capacitor charge, rather than dropping to zero volts immediately which would indicate that they had discharged to detonate the device, slowly bled off. It was a misfire.
The three engineers who had been with the device last had to climb the 500 foot tower to disarm it. As it turned out, when the elevator had been removed prior to detonation (to prevent someone from stealing the device), a critical cable had been damaged which shut down the firing sequence. The cable was repaired and the shot rescheduled for two weeks later, today, July 15th, when ‘Diablo’ detonated successfully.
1967 - ‘281’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:26 GMT with a yield of 23 kilotons as part of a peaceful research experiment, causing a 5.39 magnitude ground shock. 269th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8359, 78.1182.
1968 - ‘Castor’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 2,130 feet (650m) above Moruroa Atoll at 19:00 GMT with a yield 450 kilotons from the MR-41 warhead. 28th French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1975 - ‘481’ and ‘482’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:57 GMT with unknown yields from the two weapons development devices. 424th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.79556, 78.09568.
1991 - ’Lycurgue’ detonated beneath Moruroa Atoll lagoon at 18:09 GMT with a yield of 34 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.47 magnitude ground shock. 204th French test. Coordinates: -21.85655, -138.94077.
JULY 16TH
U.S. tests: 6
British tests: 1
Total Yield: 241 kilotons
The Details:
1945 - At 5:29:21 local time, the world entered the nuclear age when ‘Gadget’ detonated atop a 100 foot tower at ‘Trinity Site’ north of Alamogordo, New Mexico in a desert basin known as Jornada del Muerto, or "Journey of the Dead Man". The world’s first nuclear bomb detonated with a yield of 21 kilotons from the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) device, leaving a crater of radioactive glass in the desert 10 feet (3.0 m) deep and 1,100 feet (340 m) wide. 1st U.S. test. Coordinates: 33.67530, -106.47470.
Side Note: ‘Gadet’ culminated years of work by the Manhattan Project and proved that an implosion nuclear device worked. There is so much to say about the project and test that it fills volumes. After the detonation, Robert J. Oppenheimer, “father of the atomic bomb,” was quoted as saying, “...now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds..."
1964 - ‘Bye’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,277 feet (389.26m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 13:15 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during the first test of Operation Whetstone, leaving a 534 foot diameter subsidence crater and venting 390 curies of radiation during drill-back operations over a period of 2-1/2 days. 373rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.18215, -116.04623.
1965 - ‘Izzer’ detonated in a vertical shaft 537 feet (163m ) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 13:04 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during the first test of Operation Flintlock. 421st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11495, -116.03304.
1969 - ‘Ildrim’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,346 feet (410m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 13:02 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during the first test of Operation Mandrel, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock and leaving a 492 foot (150m) diameter subsidence crater. 603rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11939, -116.05599.
-- One hour and 53 minutes later, ‘Hutch’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,800 feet (548m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 14:55 GMT with a yield of 120 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 5.6 magnitude, leaving a 898 foot (274m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 1,100 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 604th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13953, -116.08822.
1981 - ‘Pineau’ detonated in a vertical shaft 680 feet (207m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Guardian. 889th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08865, -116.02024.
1987 - ‘Midland’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,597 feet (486m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the British weapons development device during Operation Musketeer, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock. 42nd British test. Coordinates: 37.10361, -116.02413.
JULY 17TH
U.S. tests: 4
Russian tests: 2
British tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 468.818 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Pisonia’ detonated 6.5 feet (2m) above Eniwetok Atoll lagoon on a barge anchored off Runit (Yvonne) island at 23:00 GMT with a yield of 255 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, an XW-50, during Operation Hardtack I. 147th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.55000, 162.31000.
1962 - ‘Little Feller I’ detonated 40 feet (12m) above NTS area 18 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 18 tons from the Sandia National Labs W-54 Davy Crockett warhead as part of a weapons effects test after being fired from a recoilless rifle on Buckboard Mesa during the last test of Operation Sunbeam, spewing 3,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 272nd U.S. test.
Launch coordinates: 37.08607, -116.32977.
Detonation coordinates: 37.10946, -116.31823
Side Note: ‘Little Feller I’ was the last atmospheric test at the Nevada Test Site. As part of a military exercise called “Ivy Flats” involving 1,000 personnel, a stockpile W-54 Davy Crockett warhead was launched by five personnel from a recoilless rifle mounted on a armored personnel carrier located on Buckboard Mesa. Robert F. Kennedy observed the detonation.
1964 - ‘Cormorant’ detonated in a vertical shaft 891 feet (271m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:18 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the British device during Operation Whetstone, venting 11 curies of radioactive Iodine and Xenon from surface ground zero for 20 minutes following detonation. 24th British test. Coordinates: 37.01761, -116.02956.
1968 - ‘Spud’ detonated in a vertical shaft 788 feet (240m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during the first test of Operation Bowline, causing a 4.0 magnitude ground shock. 555th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00095, -115.99962.
1974 - ‘Centaura’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 890 feet (270m) above Mururoa Atoll at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the TN-80 warhead. 58th French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1981 - ‘732’ detonated in a tunnel 479 feet (146m) beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:37 GMT with a yield of 9.3 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.07 magnitude ground shock. 574th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8064, 78.1352.
1986 – ‘Cybar’ detonated 2,057 feet (627m) beneath Pahute Mesa area 19 at 21:00 GMT with a yield of 119 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Charioteer, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock and venting Xenon-133 during cement-back operations. 982nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.27862, -116.35649.
1987 - ‘913’ detonated in a tunnel 875 feet (267m) beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 01:17 GMT with a yield of 78 kilotons from the fundamental science device. Causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock. 680th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7664, 78.0287.
JULY 18TH
U.S. tests: 1 (2 devices)
Russian tests: 3
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 38.5 kilotons
The Details:
1974 - ‘Crestlake-Briar-1’ and ‘Crestlake-Tansan -2’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft at different depths beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 14:00 GMT with a combined yield of 2 kilotons from the two LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Bedrock, causing a 4.1 magnitude ground shock, leaving a196 foot (60m) diameter subsidence crater and releasing 19 curies of radiation during drill-back operations. 754th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11928, -116.08601.
Depth of burial:
‘Crestlake-Briar-1’: 1,226 feet (373m)
‘Crestlake-Tansan -2’: 892 feet (272m)
1979 - ‘646’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen, Semipalatinsk at 03:17 GMT with a yield of 12 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.16 magnitude ground shock. 524th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.92057, 77.81339.
-- At the same instant, ‘647’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk with a yield of 14 kilotons from the fundamental science device causing a 5.20 magnitude ground shock. 525th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7791, 78.1027.
1981 - ‘Théras’ detonated beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 17:43 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons, causing a 4.47 magnitude ground shock. 119th French test. Coordinates: -21.85528, -138.81564.
1985 - ‘Agat’ detonated 2,525 feet beneath Arkhangelsk, Russia at 21:15 GMT with a yield of 8.5 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 666th Russian test. Coordinates: 65.994, 41.038.
JULY 19TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 2
French tests: 3
Total Yield: 182.7 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - ‘John’ detonated 18,501 ft (5,639m) above Yucca Flat at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 1.7 kilotons from the LANL device after being launched from a F-89 Scorpion as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Plumbbob, spewing 6.1 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 95th U.S. test.
Launch coordinates: 37, -116.0539
Detonation coordinates: 37.1605, -116.0539
Side Note: ‘John’ was a proof test of an unguided AIR-2A Genie air-to-air rocket carrying a W-25 warhead. The Genie rocket traveled 2.5 miles (4km) in 4.5 seconds (Mach 3) before detonating. This test was made famous by 5 military officers and a photographer standing at surface ground zero without helmets, hats, caps, goggles, or protective clothing when the warhead detonated 3.5 miles (5.6km) above them. It was highly publicized as a way of reassuring the civilian populace that they need not fear any harmful effects of using nuclear-armed missiles to destroy incoming Soviet bombers.
1964 - ‘232’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 26 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.43 magnitude ground shock as part of a fundamental science test. 225th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.81500, 78.09306.
1966 -‘Tamouré ‘detonated 3,300 feet (1,000m) above Moruroa Atoll at 15:05 GMT with a yield of 50 kilotons from the AN-11 bomb after being air-dropped by a Mirage IV jet. 19th French test. Coordinates: -21.8345, -137.95474.
1978 - ‘Arès’ detonated beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock. 84th French test. Coordinates: -21.88399, -138.99582.
1980 - ‘Asios’ detonated beneath Mururoa Atoll at 23:46 GMT with a yield of 80 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.77 magnitude ground shock. 110th French test. Coordinates: -21.88346, -138.96528.
1985 - ‘889’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:00 GMT with an unknown yield from the weapons development device. 665th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.80325, 78.06276.
JULY 20TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 5,105 kilotons
The Details:
1956 - ‘Tewa’ detonated 15 feet (4.5m) above Bikini Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored off Yurochi island at 17:46 GMT with a yield of 5 megatons from the LLNL weapons development device, “Bassoon Prime,” during Operation Redwing, removing a substantial portion of Yurochi island from existence. 84th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.67896, 165.34042.
Side Notes: The ‘Tewa’ “Bassoon Prime” device was the first "dirty" three stage design: Fission - Fusion - Fission. A uranium tamper replaced the lead tamper used in a similar Bassoon device during the ‘Zuni’ test on May 27th which had only 15 percent fission yield, a “cleaner” bomb. Fission was 87 percent of ‘Tewa’s’ yield, the highest known fission yield in any U.S. thermonuclear test. Radiation 50 miles downwind of ‘Tewa’ exceeded 1,000 Roentgens, a fatal dose.
“Bassoon Prime” became the B-41 bomb, the most powerful warhead in the U.S. stockpile with a yield of 25 megatons. Two versions were built, Y1, a "dirty" version with a tertiary stage encased with U-238 and Y2, a "clean" version with a lead-encased tertiary. If detonated at optimal height, the B41 would generate a fireball approximately 4 miles in diameter. It would have been able to destroy reinforced concrete buildings 8 miles from ground zero and most residential structures 15 miles from ground zero. It could produce third degree burns 32 miles from ground zero.
1972 - ‘Diamond Sculls’ detonated in a tunnel 1,376 feet (419m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U12 at 17:16 GMT with a yield of 21 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a weapons effects test, the first detonation conducted during Operation Toggle, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 706th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.21439, -116.18382.
1983 - ‘Battos’ detonated beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 20:30 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons, causing a 5.04 magnitude ground shock. 140th French test. Coordinates: -21.8525, -138.87541
1985 – ‘890’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 00:53 GMT with a yield of 74 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.89 magnitude ground shock. 667th Russian test,. Coordinates: 49.94972, 78.78389.
JULY 21ST
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 5
French tests: 3
Total Yield: 652.25 kilotons
The Details:
1956 - ‘Huron’ detonated 6.5 feet (2m) above Eniwetok Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored off Elugelab island at 18:16 GMT with a yield of 250 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, a 2-stage XW-50 prototype, as the last detonation of Operation Redwing. 85th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.6719, 162.3692.
1966 - ‘259’ detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:58 GMT with a yield of 24 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 251st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7367, 78.097.
1966 – ‘Ganymède’ detonated on the surface of Moruroa Atoll Colette Zone at 12:00 GMT with no yield from the AN-22 device as part of a safety experiment. 20th French test. Coordinates: -21.78128, -138.90475.
1970 - ‘352 detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen/Murzhik, Semipalatinsk at 03:02 GMT with a yield of 23 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.38 magnitude ground shock.. 323rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.95295, 77.67238.
1971 - ‘Apodaca’ detonated in a vertical shaft 792 feet (241m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 13:33 GMT with a yield of 0.25 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Grommet. 675th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01436, -115.99265.
1973 – ‘Euterpe’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 720 feet (220m) above Dindon zone, Moruroa Atoll at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 11 kilotons from the TN-60 device. 49th French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1982 - ‘Pitane’ detonated beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 17:13 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.47 magnitude ground shock. 132nd French test. Coordinates: -21.87522, -138.85594.
1984 - ‘843’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,790 feet (850m) beneath the Karachaganakskoye oil field in Kazakhstan at 02:59:59 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons from the cavity excavation device, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 639th Russian test. Coordinates: 51.35838, 53.3198.
-- Five minutes later at 03:04:59 GMT, ‘844’ detonated in an adjacent shaft 3,150 feet (960m) deep with a yield of 15 kilotons from the cavity excavation device, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock.. 640th Russian test. Coordinates: 51.37166, 53.33568.
-- Five minutes later at 03:09:59 GMT, ‘845’ detonated in another adjacent vertical shaft 2,760 feet (840m) deep with a yield of 15 kilotons from the cavity excavation device, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 641st Russian test. Coordinates: 51.39164, 53.34965.
--- These three detonations were intended to create reservoirs for gas storage.
JULY 22ND
U.S. tests: 3
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 287 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Juniper’ detonated 9.8 (3m) above Bikini Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored off Eninmen island at 04:20 GMT with a yield of 65 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, an XW-47, during Operation Hardtack I. 148th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.50355, 165.3722.
Side Note: ‘Juniper’ was described as the “most radical” LLNL device using a new concept and was a candidate for the W-47 warhead for the Polaris missile. It was reported as being fully successful. It was also the last atmospheric detonation at Bikini Atoll which had suffered greatly from 23 weapons tests since 1946 with a total yield of 53,352 kilotons of explosive force, some of which had obliterated parts of the atoll and left it irradiated.
-- Sixteen hours and 10 minutes later, ‘Olive’ detonated 9.8 (3m) above Eniwetok Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored off Enjebi Island at 20:30 GMT with a yield of 202 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Hardtack I. 149th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.66056, 162.22663.
Side Note: ‘Olive’ was a concept feasibility test involving a 2-stage thermonuclear device to establish yield to weight ratios, in this case 2 kilotons per kilogram (4.4 pounds) of weight.
1965 - ‘Pongee’ detonated in a vertical shaft 443 feet (135m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 13:21 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, venting 6.4 curies of radionuclides from surface ground zero and 4.2 curies during drill-back operations . 422nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13175, -116.06773.
1976 - ‘Calypso’ detonated in a shaft 920 feet (280m) beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 19:00 GMT with no yield as part of a safety test. 68th French test. Coordinates: 37.13175, -116.06773.
JULY 23RD
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 3
Total Yield: ≈302 kilotons
The Details:
1964 - ‘Links’ detonated in a vertical shaft 393 feet (119m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 13:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, venting 7 curies of mixed raw fission products from surface ground zero for a period of 3 hours after detonation. 375th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11371, -116.03288.
1965 - ‘Bronze’ detonated in a vertical; shaft 1,742 feet (530m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 67 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 1,050 foot (320m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 1,700 curies of Xenon-133 and Iodine-131 during drill-back operations. 423rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.09794, -116.03374.
1969 - ‘325’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:47 GMT with a yield of 16 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock. 303rd Russian test, Coordinates: 49.8156, 78.1296.
1973 – ‘428’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,526 feet (465m) beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 01:23 GMT with a yield of 212 kilotons from the peaceful research device, causing a 6.17 magnitude ground shock. 382nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.96889, 78.8175.
1976 - ‘516’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain at 02:33 GMT with a yield of 7 kilotons, causing a 4.96 magnitude ground shock. 445th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.96889, 78.8175.
JULY 24TH
U.S. tests: 4
Russian tests: 2
Total Yield: ≈74 kilotons
The Details:
1946 - ‘Baker’ detonated 90 feet (27m) beneath the surface of Bikini Atoll Lagoon suspended beneath a barge in a watertight caisson at 21:34 GMT with a yield of 21 kilotons from the LANL device, a Mk-III named "Helen of Bikini," during Operation Crossroads. 3rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.59, 165.5.
1957 - ‘Kepler’ detonated atop a 500 foot (150m) tower on Yucca Flat area 4 at 11:49 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, a XW-35 primary, during Operation Plumbbob, spewing 1.7 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 96th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.09549, -116.10354.
1964 - ‘Trogon’ detonated in a vertical shaft 633 feet (193m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 18:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone. 376th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04606, -116.01293.
1970 - ‘353’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:57 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.34 magnitude ground shock. 324th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8097, 78.1284.
1986 - ‘Cornucopia’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,250 feet (381m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:05 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Charioteer, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 360 foot (110m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Tritium and Krypton during gas sampling operations. 983rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1427, -116.07199.
1987 - ‘Neva 2-2’ detonated in a vertical shaft 4,985 feet (1,520m) beneath Sakha, Russia at 02:00 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons as part of an oil stimulation test, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 681st Russian test. Coordinates: 61.45, 112.8.
JULY 25TH
U.S. tests: 6 (7 devices)
French tests: 3
Russian tests: 1 (4 devices)
Total Yield: 467.2 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - ‘Owens’ detonated beneath a balloon 490 feet (150m) above Yucca Flat area B9 at 13:29 GMT with a yield of 9.7 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, a XW-51 very small boosted plutonium device, during Operation Plumbbob, spewing 1.7 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 97th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1347, -116.0417.
1972 - Atarque’ detonated in a vertical shaft 965 feet (294m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 13:30 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Toggle, causing a 4.0 magnitude ground shock and venting Iodine-131 and Xenon-133 during cement-back operations. 707th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01247, -116.01577.
1974 - ‘Maquis’ detonated 820 feet (250m) above Moruroa Atoll at 17:30 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the AN-52 tactical bomb after being air-dropped. 59th French test. Coordinates: -21.95429, -139.17013.
1979 - ‘Tydee’ detonated beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 17:57 GMT with a yield of 112 kilotons, causing a 5.9 magnitude ground shock and blowing part of the rim away. The 100 kiloton device got hung up in the shaft after descending1,310 of a planned 2,300 ft (400 of a planned 700m). It was exploded anyway, blowing a hole in the rim of the atoll. 97th French test. Coordinates: -21.88307, -138.9738.
1980 - ‘Tafi’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,230 feet (680m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 19:05 GMT with a yield of 140 kilotons from the LLNL device during Operation Tinderbox, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock and venting radioactive Tritium and Krypton during gas sampling operations. 874th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.25627, -116.47829.
1982 - ‘Laios’ detonated beneath Moruroa Atoll lagoon at 18:02 GMT with a yield of 56 kilotons, causing a 5.65 magnitude ground shock. 133rd French test. Coordinates: -21.85526, -138.92235.
1984 - ‘Kappeli’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,100 feet (640m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 15:30 GMT with a yield of 80 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Fusileer, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock and venting Krypton-85 from late ground seepage months after the detonation. 947th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.26771, -116.41153.
1985 - ‘Serena’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,959 feet (597m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 45 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock and venting 3 curies of Xenon from eight releases during drill-back operations. 965th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.2972, -116.43896.
1985 - ‘891,’ ‘892,’ ‘893,’ and ‘894’ detonated simultaneously within the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain at 03:11 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from ‘891’ (weapons development) and unknown yields from ‘892’ (weapons development), and ‘893’ and ‘894’ (safety tests), causing a 4.82 magnitude ground shock. 668th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8157, 78.0096.
1990 - ‘Mineral Quarry-2’ and ‘Randsburg-1’ detonated simultaneously in the same drift within a tunnel 1,278 feet (389m ) beneath Rainier Mesa area U12 at 15:00 GMT with yields of 10 and <20 kilotons respectively from the LANL weapons effects and LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Aqueduct, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock and venting several curies of mixed fission radionuclides during gas sampling and intentional releases to ventilate the tunnel. 1,036th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.20682, -116.21514.
JULY 26TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 2,019.055 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - ‘Pascal-A’ detonated in an unstemmed vertical shaft 490 feet (150m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 08:00 GMT with a yield of 0.055 kilotons (55 tons) from the LANL device during Operation Plumbbob as part of a safety test, venting 10,000 curies of Iodine-131. 98th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.05175, -116.03415.
Side Notes: ‘Pascal-A’ was a failure. It had a predicted yield of 1-2 pounds of nuclear yield but had an actual yield 55,000 times greater, surprising all involved in the test. Since the vertical shaft was not stemmed, the blast and radiation vented directly out of the shaft and was described by one observer as “Biggest damn Roman candle you ever saw! It was beautiful. Big blue glow in the sky... Blue fire shot hundreds of feet in the air.”
As part of the test, a concrete collimator 6.5 feet (2m) thick and nearly 3 feet (1m) in diameter had been lowered 330 feet (100m) into the shaft for use by a surface detector. When ‘Pascal-A’ detonated, the concrete collimator was launched out of the shaft, never to be found.
‘Pascal-A’ was the first underground nuclear detonation conducted at NTS.
1958 - ‘Pine’ detonated 9.8 feet (3m) above Eniwetok Atoll lagoon atop a barge anchored off Enjebi island at 20:30 GMT with a yield of 2 megatons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Hardtack I. 150th U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.6513, 162.21414.
Side Note: ‘Pine’ was a "clean" 3-stage variant of the TX-41 warhead that had a predicted yield of 4,000 to 6,000 kilotons. Fission yield was only 200 kilotons
1977 - ‘Meteorit-2’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,886 feet (880m) beneath Krasnoyarsk, Russia at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 462 Russian test. Coordinates: 69.575, 90.375.
1978 - ‘Idoménée’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 23:00 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.73 magnitude ground shock. 85th French test. Coordinates: -21.79237, -138.85747.
JULY 27TH
U.S. tests: 3
French tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
Total Yield: 99.55 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Wichita’ detonated in a vertical shaft 493 feet (150m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 21:00 GMT with a yield of 3.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Storax, causing a 4.3 magnitude ground shock, creating a 341 foot (104m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 760 curies of Iodine-131 from a ground fissure near surface ground zero for five minutes following detonation. 273rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12967, -116.05734.
1967 - ‘Stanley’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,587 feet (483m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 13:00 GMT with a yield of 22 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock, creating a 889 foot (271m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 37 curies of Xenon-133 over a period of 2.7 days during drill-back operations. 508th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14879, -116.04938.
1970 - ‘Pégase’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 720 feet (220m) above Moruroa Atoll at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 0.05 kilotons from the weapons development device. 37th French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1972 - ‘404’ detonated beneath Chyornaya Guba, Novaya Zemlya, at 10:00 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the fundamental science device. 364th Russian test. Coordinates: 70.83, 54.15.
1972 - ‘Obéron’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 720 feet (220m) above Moruroa Atoll at 18:40 GMT with a yield of 6 kilotons from the weapons development device, a TN-60. 47th French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1976 – ‘Billet’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,088.5 feet (636m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 20:30 GMT with a yield of 58 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during the final test of Operation Anvil, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock and venting Xenon-133 during drill-back operations. 799th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.07537, -116.04456.
JULY 28TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1 (5 devices)
French tests: 3
Total Yield: 66.851 kilotons
The Details:
1966 – ‘Saxon’ detonated in a vertical shaft 502 feet (153m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 15:33 GMT with a yield of 1.2 kilotons from the LLNL peaceful research device, a Project Plowshare excavation device development, as the first test during Operation Latchkey, venting radioactive Xenons over a period of 3 days during drill-back operations. 469th U.S test. Coordinates: 37.14044, -116.13404.
1973 – ‘Melpomène’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 890 feet (270m) above the Denise zone, Moruroa Atoll at 23:06 GMT with a yield of 0.05 kilotons (50 tons) from the weapons development device, a TN-60 missile warhead. 50th French test. Coordinates: -21.83, -138.88.
1974 – ‘Persée’ detonated on the dry surface of Colette zone, Moruroa Atoll at 17:30 GMT with a yield of 1,000kg as part of a safety test. 60th French test. Coordinates: -21.78122, -138.90474.
1977 – ‘Carnelian’ detonated in a vertical shaft 682 feet (208m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 at 14:07 GMT with a yield of 0.6 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Fulcrum, causing a 3.7 magnitude ground shock and venting 6.8 curies of Xenon-133 during drill-back operations. 814th U.S test. Coordinates: 37.09751, -116.09182.
1978 – ‘581’, ‘582’, ‘583’, ‘584’ and ‘585’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:47 GMT with a combined yield of 60 kilotons from the five weapons development devices, causing a 5.75 magnitude ground shock. 489th Russian Test. Coordinates: 49.7488, 78.0893.
1979 – ‘Palamède’ detonated beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll at 19:56 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.15 magnitude ground shock. 98th French test. Coordinates: -21.80241, -138.846.
JULY 29TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 4
China tests: 1
Total Yield: 83.4 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘Joe 15’ detonated 6.5 feet (2m) above the dry surface of Semipalatinsk at 02:00 GMT with a yield of 1.3 kilotons from the weapons development device, a RDS-9. 19th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
Side Note: The RDS-9 was a lower-yield version of the RDS-4 with a 3-10 kiloton yield and was developed for the T-5 nuclear torpedo. A 3.5 kiloton underwater test was performed with the torpedo on September 21, 1955.
1965 - ‘247’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:05 GMT with a yield of 1.1 kilotons from the fundamental science device, causing a 4.28 magnitude ground shock. 239th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7797, 77.9981.
1974 - ‘455’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan Semipalatinsk at 03:28 GMT with an unknown yield. 404th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.9375, 78.93583.
1976 – ‘517’ detonated in a vertical shaft 3,280 feet (1,000m) beneath the Bolshoy Azgir area of Kazakhstan at 05:00 GMT with a yield of 58 kilotons from the device, causing a 5.9 magnitude ground shock as part of a cavity formation experiment for the storage of gas. 446th Russian test. Coordinates: 47.87109, 48.13768.
1982 - ‘Monterey’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,300 feet (400m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 at 20:05 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Praetorian, causing a 4.5 magnitude ground shock, leaving a 196 foot (60m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Xenon-133 during drill-back operations. 908th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.10234, -116.07561.
1996 - China detonated its last nuclear weapons test in a tunnel at Lop Nor with a yield of 3 kilotons, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock. There is speculation this may have been a test of a Pakistani nuclear device. 48th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.7161, 88.3757.
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JULY 30TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 2 (3 devices)
Total Yield: 39.5 kilotons
The Details:
1968 - ‘Tanya’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,250 feet (381m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 13:00 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, venting 140 curies of Xenon-133 during drill-back operations. 556th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13317, -116.08312.
1977 - ‘542’ and ‘543’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 01:57 GMT with a combined yield of 11 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.13 magnitude ground shock. 463rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.75, 78.0399.
1982 - ‘Rift-3’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,820 feet (860m) beneath Irkutsk, Russia at 21:00 GMT with a yield of 8.5 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test. 592nd Russian test. Coordinates: 53.8, 104.15.
JULY 31ST
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 1 (2 devices)
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 23.501 kilotons
The Details:
1972 – ‘Ariel’ detonated 33 feet (10m) above the dry surface of Colette zone, Moruroa Atoll at 22:30 GMT with a yield of 1,000 kilograms during a safety test of a TN-60 warhead. 48th French test. Coordinates: -21.78131, -138.90472.
1980 - ‘693’ and ‘694’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 03:33 GMT with a combined yield of 20 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.33 magnitude ground shock. 553rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7955, 78.0907.
1980 - ‘Verdello’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,200 feet (365m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 18:19 GMT with a yield of 3.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Tinderbox, causing a 4.3 magnitude ground shock, creating a 492 foot (150m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 45 curies of Iodine-131 and Xenon-133 during drill-back and cement-back operations. 875th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.013, -116.02361.
