WORLDWIDE TESTING IN MARCH
MARCH 1ST
U.S. tests: 3
British tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total yield: ~174.5 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘Tesla’ detonated atop a 300 foot (90m) tower on Yucca Flat area 9 at 13:30 GMT with a yield of 7 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device - their first successful test - during Operation Teapot, spewing 1,200,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 52nd U.S test. Coordinates: 37.1255, -116.0484.
Side Note: The yield of the linear implosion CLEO-1 device used in ‘Tesla’ was predicted to be 2 kilotons but produced 7 kilotons. The fireball was 735 feet (224m) in diameter, over twice expected. 600 Army troops and 25 Marines had been positioned in trenches 1.4 miles from ground zero. Many trenches were caved in and vehicles blown over by the unexpectedly large blast. Radiation levels near ground zero did not allow entry to the area as planned. This was also the first successful LLNL test.
1962 - ‘Pampas’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,190 feet (363m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 19:10 GMT with a yield of 9.5 kilotons during Operation Nougat, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock, creating a 649 foot (198m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 2,000 curies of radionuclides including Cesium, Lanthanum, Iodine, Rubidium, and Niobium from a sampling line for 20 minutes after detonation and during drill-back operations which was detected off-site. 22nd British test, their first test at NTS. Coordinates: 37.04118, -116.02952.
Side Note: 'Pampas' created a119 foot (36m) diameter cavity at the underground shot point.
1963 - ‘Jerboa’ detonated in a vertical shaft 988 feet (301m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 19:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Storax. 310th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04447, -116.02736.
1979 - ‘Penthésilée’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 17:24 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons, causing a 4.95 magnitude ground shock. 91st French test. Coordinates: -21.87124, -138.83877.
1984 - ‘Tortugas’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,095 feet (638m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 17:45 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Fusileer, causing a 5.9 magnitude ground shock and creating a 820 foot (250m) diameter subsidence crater. 939th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.06572, -116.04716.
MARCH 2ND
U.S. tests: 1
Total yield: 2.5 kilotons.
The Details:
1967 - ‘Rivet III’ detonated in a vertical shaft 890 feet (271m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 2.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Latchkey, causing a 4.2 magnitude ground shock, creating a 459 foot (140m) diameter subsidence crater and venting a “trace” of Iodine from the ventilation systems over a period of 63 hours during drill-back operations. 494th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16581, -116.04957.
MARCH 3RD
U.S. tests: 2
Russian test: 1
French tests: 1
Total yield: 83.6 kilotons.
The Details:
1965 - ‘Wagtail’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,459 feet (749m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 19:13 GMT with a yield of 51 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock, creating a 656 foot (200m) subsidence crater and venting 13 curies of Xenon and Iodine during drill-back operations on March 10. 404th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.06448, -116.03793.
1965 - ‘240’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 27 kilotons, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 233rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8247, 78.0527.
1967 - ‘Mushroom’ detonated in a vertical shaft 589 feet (179m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:19 GMT with a yield of 0.6 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, causing a 3.7 magnitude ground shock, creating a 262 foot (80m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 0.4 curies of Iodine and Xenon from surface ground zero following detonation. 492nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.03946, -116.01093.
1980 - ‘Adraste’ detonated beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 17:56 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons, causing 5.07 magnitude ground shock. 102nd French test. Coordinates: -21.78621, -138.86537.
MARCH 4TH
No nuclear weapons tests were conducted anywhere in the world by any country on this day.
MARCH 5TH
U.S. tests: 3
Total yield: 7.43 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Danny Boy’ detonated in an emplacement 98 feet (30m) beneath NTS area 18 at 18:15 GMT with a yield of 0.43 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a weapons effects test of an Atomic Demolition Munition and its cratering effects during Operation Nougat, causing a 3.6 magnitude ground shock, creating a crater 265 feet (80m) in diameter and 84 feet (25m) deep in basalt rock, and venting 850,000 curies of radionuclides including Iodine, Strontium, Rubidium, Barium, Lanthanum, Tellurium, and radioactive particulate matter, all which drifted off-site towards Warm Springs, Nevada. 216th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11091, -116.3658.
1966 - ‘Red Hot’ detonated in a tunnel 1,228 feet (405m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U12 at 18:15 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a Department of Defense weapons effects test during Operation Flintlock, causing a 4.11 magnitude ground shock and venting an estimated one million curies of Iodine-131, Krypton, and Xenon which was detected off-site. 443rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17450, -116.20836.
1968 - ‘Russet’ detonated in a vertical shaft and horizontal tunnel 393 feet (119m) beneath Yucca Flat area U6 at 15:30 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, venting 29 curies of Iodine and Zenon from surface ground zero following detonation and U-235 and U-238 during special packaging operations. 535th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.97002, -116.05653.
MARCH 6TH
U.S. tests: 3 (5 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: ~ 14.2 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Ermine’ detonated in a vertical shaft 240 feet (73m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Nougat, venting a small amount of undetermined gaseous residue from surface ground zero during drill-back operations. 217th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04837 -116.0344.
1970 - Cyathus’ detonated in a vertical shaft 950 feet (289m) beneath Yucca Flat area U8 at 14:24 GMT with a yield of 8.7 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 4.5 magnitude ground shock, creating a 196 foot (60m) subsidence crater and venting 46 curies of Xenon and Iodine over a period of 27 minutes during drill-back operations. 636th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17311, -116.09266.
1970 - ‘Arabis-Red’, ‘Arabis-Green’, and ‘Arabis-Blue’ detonated simultaneously at 15:00 GMT in separate, adjacent vertical shafts, each 820 feet (249 m) deep and connected by horizontal tunnels beneath Yucca Flat area U9 with yields of 3.5, <20 kilotons, and <20 kilotons respectively from the three LLNL devices, causing a 4.3 magnitude ground shock. 637th U.S. test.
‘Arabis-Red’ – Coordinates: 37.13955, -116.03218. Weapons development device. Subsidence crater diameter: 370 feet (113m).
‘Arabis-Green’ - Coordinates: 37.14174, -116.03488. Weapons development device.
‘Arabis-Blue’ – Coordinates: 37.13956, -116.03764. Safety test.
1981 - ‘Tyro’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 17:27 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock. 114th French test. Coordinates: -21.87616, -138.85651.
MARCH 7TH
U.S. tests: 3 (4 devices)
Russian tests: 2
Total yield: ~228 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘Turk’ detonated atop a 490 foot (150m) tower on Yucca Flat area 2 at 13:20 GMT with a yield of 43 kilotons from the LLNL XW-27D "Linda" weapons development device during Operation Teapot, producing a mushroom cloud reaching 40,209 feet and releasing 6.4 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. The device was used as the primary for the W-27 two megaton thermonuclear warhead used in the SSM-N-8 Regulus cruise missile. 53rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1383, -116.1184.
Side Note: The tower used for ‘Turk’ was 200 feet higher than those in previous tests and the area around the shot tower was covered with blacktop in an attempt to reduce the amount of dirt sucked up into the fireball to become radioactive fallout. Army troops had been placed in trenches 2 miles from ground zero but were relocated to trenches used for the detonation of ‘Tesla’ on March 1 because of a shift in winds which carried the fallout into the original trench area, engulfing them in 100 roentgen per hour highly radioactive debris. At ground zero, radiation was measured at 1,000 roentgen per hour. Northwest in Tonopah, Nevada, residents watched the cloud drift over them and noted an “acid-like” taste. The fallout drifted east, blanketing the Midwest from Colorado to Ohio. Children later drank the milk from cows that had ingested the Iodine-131 fallout on grass they ate, some later developed thyroid cancer or leukemia as a result.
1966 - ‘Finfoot’ and ‘Cinnamon’ detonated simultaneously in separate but adjacent vertical shafts 639 feet (195m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 18:41 with yields of 5 kilotons and <20 kilotons respectively from the two LLNL devices during Operation Flintlock. 444th U.S. test.
‘Finfoot’ – Coordinates: 37.03736, -116.03014 - weapons development device, Subsidence crater: 406 feet (124m) diameter, vented small amount of unknown radionuclides for 10 minutes at surface ground zero following detonation.
‘Cinnamon’ – Coordinates: 37.03461, -116.03166 - safety test.
1969 - ‘318’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 08:26 GMT with a yield of 49 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.66 magnitude ground shock. 297th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8215, 78.0627.
1975 - ‘Cabrillo’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,970 feet (600m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 89 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Bedrock, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock, creating a 557 foot (170m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 11 curies of Xenon for a period of 46 minutes during drill-back operations. 769th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13402, -116.0852.
1984 - ‘832’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 02:39 GMT with a yield of 42 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.56 magnitude ground shock. 633rd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.05543, 78.95372.
MARCH 8TH
U.S. tests: 5 (8 devices)
Total yield: ~ 88.7 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Brazos’ detonated in a vertical shaft 841 feet (256m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 8.4 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Nougat, creating a 465 foot (142m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 1,100 curies of Xenon-133 from visible steam at surface ground zero for 38 minutes and then again for seven hours during drill-back operations. 218th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12212,-116.04976.
Side Note: ‘Brazos’ was a successful proof test of the W-55 thermonuclear warhead used in the SUBROC antisubmarine rocket system.
1973 - ‘Miera’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,864 feet (568m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 16:10 GMT with a yield of 67 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Toggle, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock, creating a 1,115 foot (340m) diameter subsidence crater and venting a small amount of Xenon during cement-back operations. 719th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.10354, -116.02759.
1977 - ‘Dofino’ and ‘Dofino-Lawton’ detonated simultaneously beneath Yucca Flat area U10 in the same vertical shaft at depths of 600 feet (182m) and 925 feet (282m) respectively, with yields of 0.8 and <20 kilotons respectively from the two LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Fulcrum, causing a 3.8 magnitude ground shock and venting 25 curies of Xenon-133 during drill-back operations. 809th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17616, -116.05385.
1980 - ‘Norbo’ detonated in a vertical shaft 889 feet (271m) beneath Yucca Flat area U8 at 15:35 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Tinderbox, causing a 3.9 magnitude ground shock and venting Tritium, Krypton and Iodine for a period of 18 minutes during test and gas sampling operations. 866th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17989, -116.08399.
1991 - ‘Coso-Bronze’, ‘Coso-Gray’, and ‘Coso-Silver’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft and separate horizontal drifts 1,093 feet (333m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 at 31:02 GMT with respective yields of 3.5, 8, and ZERO kilotons (safety test) from the three LLNL devices during Operation Sculpin, causing a 4.3 magnitude ground shock and creating a 295 foot (90m) diameter subsidence crater. 1,041st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.10436, -116.07486.
MARCH 9TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total yield: 416 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - ‘38’ detonated 2,000 feet (610m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 19 kilotons after being air-dropped. 35th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1976 - ‘Estuary’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,811 feet (856m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U19 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 350 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Anvil, causing a 6.0 magnitude ground shock. 793rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.30955, -116.36549.
1979 - ‘Philoctète’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 16:37 GMT with a yield of 14 kilotons from the weapons development enhanced radiation device, causing a 5.15 magnitude ground shock. 92nd French test. Coordinates: -21.79352, -138.85648.
1989 - ‘Ingot’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,600 feet (500m) beneath Yucca Flat at 14:05 GMT with a yield of 33 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Cornerstone, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 1,022nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14279, -116.06781.
MARCH 10TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 1 (2 devices)
Total yield: 72 kilotons.
The Details:
1967 - ‘Fizz’ detonated in a vertical shaft 386 feet (117m) beneath Yucca Flat at 15:00 GMT with a very low yield as part of a LANL safety test. ‘Fizz’ was intended to be a fizzle. 493rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04612,-116.03073.
1972 - ‘393’ and ‘394’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:56 GMT with a combined yield of 28 kilotons, causing a 5.45 magnitude ground shock. 356th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.75194, 78.11806.
1990 - ‘Metropolis’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,450 feet (469m) beneath Yucca Flat at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 44 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Aqueduct, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock and venting 6 curies of Iodine-131 during drill-back operations. 1,032nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11246, -116.05605.
MARCH 11TH
Russian tests: 2
Total yield: 24.001 kilotons.
The Details:
1975 – ‘462’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:433 GMT with a yield of 24 kilotons, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 419th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.75472, 78.10750.
1983 – ‘792’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:17 GMT with a yield of 0.001 kilotons as part of a safety test. 607th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.82333, 78.03333.
MARCH 12TH
U.S. tests: 4 (9 devices)
Russian tests: 1 (2 devices)
Total yield: 23.6 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘Hornet’ detonated atop a 300 foot (90m) tower on Yucca Flat area 3 at 13:19 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Teapot, releasing 620,000 curies of Iodine-131. ‘Hornet’ was a test of the XW-30 boosted fission device which used a sealed plutonium pit with deuterium-tritium gas to boost fission and an external ZIPPER neutron generator initiator. 54th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0402, -116.0261.
Side Note: The W30 was the warhead for the Navy’s RIM-8 Talos surface to air missile as well as the Mk 30 Mod 1 Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition (TADM).
1964 - ‘Handicap’ detonated in a vertical shaft 470 feet (143m) beneath Yucca Flat area 9 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of .2 kilotons (200 tons) from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Niblick, causing a 3.2 magnitude ground shock and venting 300 curies of various isotopes during test and drill-back operations. 358th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12995,-116.03726.
1965 – ‘Alpaca’ detonated in a vertical shaft 736 feet (224m) beneath Yucca Flat area 2 at 15:10 GMT with a yield of 0.33 kilotons (330 tons) yield from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, venting 40,000 curies of various isotopes that were measured off-site. 404rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16500, -116.07744.
1966 - ‘Clymer’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,302 feet (397m) beneath Yucca Flat area 9 at 18:04 GMT with a yield of 3 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, creating a 288 foot (88m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 450 curies of Xenon during drill-back operations. 445th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14362,-116.0534.
1968 - ‘Buggy-A’, ‘Buggy-B’, ‘Buggy-C’, ‘Buggy-D’, and ‘Buggy-E’ detonated simultaneously in separate 165 foot (50m) deep emplacements 150 feet (46m) apart (a row charge) at NTS area 30 with yields of 1.08 kilotons each from the LLNL peaceful research devices during Operation Crosstie, blasting a trench 433 feet (132m) across, 900 feet (274m) long and 80 feet (24m) deep, and venting 1.2 million curies of Iodine-131 and Strontium-91 among other isotopes. This was a PLOWSHARE test to determine if a canal could be dug with nuclear explosives. 536th U.S. test.
Coordinates:
‘Buggy-A’: 37.00745,-116.37086
‘Buggy-B’: 37.00759,-116.37133
‘Buggy-C’: 37.00773,-116.37181
‘Buggy-D’: 37.00788,-116.37229
‘Buggy-E’: 37.00803,-116.37277
1987 - ‘896’ and ‘897’ detonated simultaneously in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 01:57 GMT with a combined yield of 11 kilotons, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 670th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.93528, 78.82889.
MARCH 13TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 3.2 kilotons
1958 - ‘58’ detonated 1,558 feet (475m) above Semipalatinsk with a yield of 1.2 kilotons. 55th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1964 - ‘Pike’ detonated in a vertical shaft 376 feet (114m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:02 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Niblick, creating a 239 foot (73m) diameter subsidence crater and venting raw fission products exceeding 120,000 curies for 69 seconds after detonation – possibly through an unknown fissure - until the subsidence crater collapsed. This cloud of radioactive isotopes, made primarily of Iodine-131, drifted off-site and was detected 341 miles from surface ground zero. 359th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.05042, -116.01224.
MARCH 14TH
U.S. tests: 5
Russian tests: 3
Total yield: 861.5015 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Uranus’ detonated in a tunnel 114 feet (34m) beneath Ranier Mesa at 22:00 GMT with a yield of 0.0005 kilotons from the LLNL XW-48 device as part of a one-point safety test during Project 58A. 119th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.193397, -116.20014.
1958 - ‘56 - Joe 51’ detonated 3,379 feet (1,030m) above Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 35 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air dropped. 56th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 78.8.
1958 - ‘57 - Joe 50’ detonated at an unspecified altitude above Novaya Zemlya Area C at an unspecified time with a yield of 40 kilotons as part of a fundamental science test. 57th Russian test. Coordinates: 74.25, 54.33.
1968 – ‘Pommard’ detonated 686 feet (209m) beneath Yucca Flat in a vertical shaft at 15:19 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, leaving a 288 foot (88m) diameter subsidence crater. 543rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0477, -116.01155.
1974 - ‘Hulsea’ detonated 640 feet (195m) beneath Yucca Flat in a vertical shaft at 17:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Arbor, releasing 67 curies of Xenon-133 during drill-back operations. 744th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15508, -116.06497.
1976 - ‘Colby’ detonated 4,178 feet (1,273m) beneath Pahute Mesa in a vertical shaft at 12:30 GMT with a yield of 800 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, a B-83 warhead, during Operation Anvil, causing a 6.3 magnitude ground shock and venting 44 curies of Ruthenium-103 via effluent overflow of the mudpit. 794th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.30594, -116.47237.
1979 - ‘Memory’ detonated 1,197 feet (364m) beneath Yucca Flat in a vertical shaft at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Quicksilver, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock. 852nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02778, -116.04062.
1980 - ‘677’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:31 GMT with a yield of .001 kilotons as part of a safety test. 543rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.82333, 78.04167.
MARCH 15TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 3
Chinese tests: 1
Total yield: 110 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘62’ detonated 3,166 feet (965m) above Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 14 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air dropped. 58th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1958 - ‘63’ detonated at an unspecified altitude above Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of ZERO kilotons, either a fizzle or as part of a safety test. 59th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8..
1962 - ‘Hognose’ detonated in a vertical shaft 788 feet (240m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, creating a 511 foot (146m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Iodine-131 during drill-back operations. 219th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04393, -116.03186.
1963 - ‘Toyah’ detonated in a vertical shaft 429 feet (130m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 16:22 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, venting 1,200 curies of Xenon-133 during drill-back operations. 311th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12583, -116.04568.
1964 - ‘229’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 08:00 GMT with a yield of 37 kilotons, causing a 5.56 magnitude ground shock. 222nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.82083, 78.09861.
1978 - China detonated a nuclear device at Lop Nor test site at 05:00 GMT with a yield of 11 kilotons. Coordinates: 41.5, 88.5. 23rd Chinese test.
1985 - ‘Vaughn’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,396 feet (425m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 16:31 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Grenadier, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock and venting 100 curies of Xenon-133 during drill-back operations. 957th U.S. test. Coordinates: :37.0581,-116.0461.
MARCH 16TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 15.5 kilotons
The Details:
1956 - ‘29’ detonated on the surface of Semipalatinsk test site at 05:00 with a yield of 14 kilotons. 26th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.00000, 78.00000.
1978 - ‘Karob’ detonated 1,086 feet (331m) beneath Yucca Flat in a vertical shaft at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Cresset, causing a 4.0 magnitude ground shock and venting Iodine-131 and Xenon-133 during drill-back operations. 830th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08512, -116.08249.
MARCH 17TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 746 kilotons
The Details:
1953 - ‘Annie’ detonated atop a 300 foot (90m) tower on Yucca Flat area 3 at 13:20 GMT with a yield of 16 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device - a MK-5 - during the first test of Operation Upshot-Knothole, releasing 3.6 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere which drifted across the U.S., showering the Midwest with radioactive fallout. 33rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0477,-116.022.
1976 - ‘Pool’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,891 feet (881m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U19 at 14:15 GMT with a yield of 500 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Anvil, causing a 6.1 magnitude ground shock. 795th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.25584, -116.32946.
-- Thirty minutes later at 14:45, ‘Strait’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,567 feet (782m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 with a yield of 210 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock and creating a 853 foot (260m) diameter subsidence crater. 796th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.10716, -116.05432.
1976 - ‘508’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 02:57 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons as part of a weapons development test. 437th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.75496, 78.09259.
MARCH 18TH
U.S. tests: 4
Russian tests: 1
French tests: 1
Chinese tests: 1
Total yield: 191.46 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘64’ detonated 954 feet (290m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 0.16 kilotons as part of a fundamental science test after being air-dropped. 59th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1963 - ‘Emeraude’ detonated in a tunnel within Taourirt Tan Afella near In Ekker, French Algeria at 10:02 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons, causing a 4.86 magnitude ground shock and venting radionuclides. 7th French test. Coordinates: 24.04147, 5.05191.
1966 - ‘Purple’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,091 feet (332m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 7 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Flintlock, creating a 459 foot (140m) diameter subsidence crater. 446th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0092, -116.00996.
1969 - ‘Valise’ detonated in a vertical shaft 296 feet (90m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 14:30 GMT with <20 kiloton yield from the LLNL device as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Bowline, venting for nearly an hour during gas sampling operations. 590th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13909, -116.04171.
-- 10 minutes later at 14:40 GMT, ‘Chatty’ detonated in a vertical shaft 639 feet (194m) beneath Yucca Flat with a yield of 0.8 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, causing a 3.8 magnitude ground shock, creating a 229 foot (70m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Xenon-133 from a ventilation line for 25 minutes during drill-back operations. 591st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16224, -116.07679.
1972 – A weapons development device detonated over Area D, Lop Nor, China at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 170 kilotons after being air-dropped, but fizzled when the thermonuclear secondary did not ignite. 14th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.5, 88.5.
1987 - ‘Middle Note’ detonated in a tunnel 1.308 feet (398m) beneath Rainier Mesa at 18:28 GMT with a yield of 3.5 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a DOD weapons effects test during Operation Musketeer, causing a 4.3 magnitude ground shock. 992nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.21019, -116.20944.
MARCH 19TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total yield: 66 kilotons
The Details:
1970 - ‘Jal’ detonated in a vertical shaft 988 feet (301m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:03 GMT with a yield of 6 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 4.1 magnitude ground shock and creating a 456 foot (139m) diameter subsidence crater. 638th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00104, -116.02359.
1977 - ‘Nestor’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll islands Zoe and Yvonne at 23:00 GMT with a yield of 47 kilotons, causing a 5.59 magnitude ground shock. 72nd French test. Coordinates: -21.88009, -138.94102.
1978 - ‘570’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen, Semipalatinsk at 03:59 GMT with a yield of 13 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.19 magnitude ground shock. 481st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.80621, 78.11687.
MARCH 20TH
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 2
French tests: 1
Total yield: 139.2 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘65’ detonated 3,330 feet (1,015m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 12 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped by a bomber. 60th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1965 - ‘Suede’ detonated in a vertical shaft 470 feet (143m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 15:30 GMT with a yield of 0.2 kilotons (200 tons) from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, causing a 3.3 magnitude ground shock and venting 1,300 curies of Iodine-131 and Xenon-133 from the drill-back rig over a period of 15 hours and a subsequent 21 hours from a ventilation line. 405th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11538, -116.02736.
1966 - ‘254’ detonated in a tunnel 1,017 feet (310m) beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:50 GMT with a yield of 100 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 6.04 magnitude ground shock. 246th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7616, 78.0239.
1969 - ‘Barsac’ detonated in a vertical shaft 997 feet (304m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 18:12 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock, creating a 531 foot (162m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 43 curies of Iodine-131 over a period of 29.8 hours from surface ground zero. 592nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02203, -116.03098.
1982 - ‘Rhesos’ detonated in a shaft beneath Mururoa Atoll lagoon at 17:03 GMT with a yield of 17 kilotons from the enhanced radiation weapons development device, causing a 5.23 magnitude ground shock. 127th French test. Coordinates: -21.85913, -138.92235.
MARCH 21ST
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 1
Total yield: 676 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘66’ detonated 8,202 feet (2,500m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at an unspecified time with a yield of 650 kilotons from the weapons development thermonuclear device after being air-dropped. 61st Russian test. Coordinates: 74, 60.
1969 - ‘Coffer’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,525 feet (464m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of 26 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock, creating a 393 foot (120m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 10 curies of Xenon-131 from a ventilation line for 8.3 hours on March 27 and again for 5.5 hours the following day during drill-back operations. 593rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13325, -116.0876.
MARCH 22ND
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 3
French tests: 1
Total yield: 247 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘Bee’ detonated atop a 490 foot (150m) tower on Yucca Flat area 7 at 13:04 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Teapot, releasing 1.2 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere which drifted southeast over Las Vegas. 55th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0947, -116.0248.
Side Note: ‘Bee’ was a sealed pit, deuterium-tritium boosted device using an external neutron initiator (ZIPPER). Over 3,000 military troops participated in ‘Bee.’ 1,972 enlisted and 299 officers were placed in trenches 2 miles from ground zero and then stormed their three objectives 9 miles west of ground zero after the detonation.
1958 - ‘67’ detonated 4,642 feet (1,415m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 18 kilotons after being air-dropped. 62nd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1968 - ‘Stinger’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,190 feet (667m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U19 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 120 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock and creating a 931 foot (284m) subsidence crater. 538th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.33256, -116.31155.
1971 - ‘364’ and ‘365’ detonated simultaneously in separate tunnels within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:330 GMT with yields of 67 and zero kilotons respectively, causing a 5.77 magnitude ground shock. 333rd and 334th Russian tests. Coordinates: 49.7985, 78.109 and 49.77704, 78.09342 respectively.
1978 - ‘Pylade’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 17:30 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons, causing a 5.09 magnitude ground shock. 81st French test. Coordinates: - -21.80006, -138.84901.
1986 - ‘Glencoe’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,000 feet (609m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 at 16:15 GMT with a yield of 29 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Charioteer, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock and venting Xenon-133 and Iodine-131 during sampling operations that was detected off-site. 975th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08296, -116.06691.
MARCH 23RD
U.S. tests: 7
Russian tests: 2 (4 devices)
French tests: 2
Total yield: 399.701 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘ESS’ (Effects Sub-Surface) detonated in a shaft 66 feet (20m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 20:30 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LANL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Teapot, blowing a highly radioactive hole 298 feet (91m) in diameter and 96 feet (29m) deep, and venting 140,000 curies of Iodine-131. 56th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1683, -116.0448.
Side Note: ‘ESS’ was a test of the first prototype of the Special Atomic Demolition Munition which weighed about 58 pounds and could be emplaced by one or more Army personnel. A shaft was excavated earlier in the day by members of the 271st Engineer Combat Battalion. The device was placed in the shaft lined with corrugated steel, 10 feet wide and 70 feet deep so that the bomb center was at -66 feet, which was then back-filled with sandbags and dirt prior to firing. The troops relocated 8 miles away, then detonated ‘ESS.’ Over 1,000 tons of rock and dirt were vaporized and sent skyward to drift over Lubbock, Houston, Fort Worth, Knoxville, and Richmond before passing over the east coast into the Atlantic Ocean.
1970 - ‘Shaper’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,838 feet (560m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 23:05 GMT with a yield of 89 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock and creating a 1,098 foot (335m) diameter subsidence crater. 639th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08618, -116.02198.
1971 – ‘Taiga-1’, ‘Taiga-2’ and ‘Taiga-3’ detonated simultaneously in separate adjacent shafts 419 feet (128 meters) beneath the Perm area of Russia at 06:59 GMT with yields of 15 kilotons each (45 total) as part of an industrial experiment to create a canal, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock . 335th Russian test. Coordinates:
‘Taiga-1’: 61.30759, 56.59926
‘Taiga-2’: 61.30621, 56.59881
‘Taiga-3’: 61.30472, 56.59843
1972 - ‘Sappho’ detonated in a vertical shaft 649 feet (197m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 18:50 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Grommet, creating a 328 foot (100m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 9 curies of Xenon-133 for a period of 50 minutes during drill-back operations. 694th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.113, -116.08169.
1973 - ‘Gazook’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,070 feet (326m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 20:15 GMT with a yield of 0.2 kilotons (200 tons) from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Toggle, causing a 3.3 magnitude ground shock and venting 12 curies of Xenon-133 from a ventilation line during drill-back operations.. 720th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11727, -116.08779.
1978 - ‘Topmast’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,502 feet (457m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 16:30:00:1 GMT with a yield of < 20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Cresset. 831st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.09881, -116.02049.
-- One millisecond later at 16:30:00:2 GMT, ‘Iceberg’ detonated in a separate vertical shaft 2,107 feet (640m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 with a yield of 120 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock and creating a 754 foot (230m) diameter subsidence crater. 832nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.10182, -116.05236.
1979 - ‘631’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 0.001 kilotons as part of a safety test. 516th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.81173, 78.15933.
1980 - ‘Thésée’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim Mururoa Atoll at 19:36 GMT with a yield of 80 kilotons, causing a 5.77 magnitude ground shock. 103rd French test. Coordinates: -21.88297, -138.96938.
1982 - ‘Evevos’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 17:14 GMT with a yield of 0.5 kilotons. 128th French test. Coordinates: -21.87465, -138.85118.
1985 - ‘Cottage’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,690 feet (515m) beneath Yucca Flat area U8 at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 60 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Grenadier, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock and creating 951 foot (290m) diameter subsidence crater. 958th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17993, -116.08983.
MARCH 24TH
U.S. tests: 2
French tests: 1
Total yield: 32.37 kilotons
The Details:
1953 - ‘Nancy’ detonated atop a 300 foot (90m) tower on Yucca Flat area 4 at 13:10 GMT with a yield of 24 kilotons from the LANL TX-15 device during Operation Upshot-Knothole, releasing 3.6 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 34th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0955, -116.1037.
1966 - ‘Templar’ detonated in a vertical shaft 495 feet (151m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 14:55 GMT with a yield of 0.37 kilotons (370 tons) from the LLNL peaceful research device as part of a Plowshares program excavation development experiment during Operation Flintlock, venting Xenon-133 from a ventilation line during drill-back operations. 447th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11329, -116.03223.
1979 – ‘Agapénor’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 16:28 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.95 magnitude ground shock. 93rd French test. Coordinates: -21.87552, -138.86182.
MARCH 25TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 3
French tests: 1
Total yield: 34.501 kilotons
The Details:
1956 - ‘30’ detonated 3 feet (1m) above the dry surface of Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 5.5 kilotons from the weapons development device. 27th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1967 - ‘275’ and ‘276’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:58 GMT with a combined yield of 18 kilotons from the two devices, one a weapons development and the other a weapons effects device, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock. 265th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7536, 78.063.
1968 - ‘Milk Shake’ detonated in a vertical shaft 868 feet (264m) beneath Frenchman Flat area U5 at 18:44 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Crosstie, creating a 11 foot (34m) subsidence crater and venting 30 curies of Xenon-138 from a down-hole cable. 539th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.87168, -115.932.
1978 - ‘Hécube’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 17:30 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the weapons development device. 82nd French test. Coordinates: -21.78484, -138.8679.
1981 - ‘720’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at an unspecified time with a yield of 0.001 kilotons as part of a one-point safety test. 567th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.81806, 78.04053.
MARCH 26TH
U.S. tests: 2
Total yield: 3.1 kilotons.
The Details:
1967 - ‘Rivet II’ detonated in a vertical shaft 648 feet (197m) beneath Yucca Flat area U10 at 16:30 GMT with a yield of 800 tons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Latchkey, causing a 3.8 magnitude ground shock and venting Xenon from surface ground zero over a period of 20 minutes after detonation. 487th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.16507, -116.04742.
1968 - ‘Cabriolet’ detonated 179 feet (52m) beneath Pahute Mesa area U20 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 2.3 kilotons from the LLNL peaceful research device during Operation Crosstie, blowing a 357 foot (109m) diameter crater in the earth and venting 220,000 curies of mixed radionuclides including Krypton, Rubidium, Strontium, Iodine, Xenon, and Tellurium into the atmosphere which drifted off-site over southern Idaho and as far as Big Timber Mountain, Montana. 630 picocuries of Iodine-131 per liter of milk was detected nearly 400 miles north of the Nevada Test Site in Wells, Nevada. 530th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.28079, -116.51544.
MARCH 27TH
Russian tests: 2
Total yield: 6.56 kilotons
The Details:
1965 - ‘241’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 06:30 GMT with a yield of 0.06 kilotons (60 tons) from the weapons development device, causing a 3.22 magnitude ground shock. 234th Russian test. 49.77347, 77.98465.
1970 - ‘346’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 05:02 GMT with a yield of 6.5 kilotons from the peaceful research device, causing a 4.93 magnitude ground shock. 318th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7478, 77.999.
MARCH 28TH
U.S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 1 (3 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: 14.4 kilotons
The Details:
1962 - ‘Hoosic’ detonated in a vertical shaft 613 feet (186m) beneath Yucca Flat area U9 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 3.4 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Nougat, creating a 295 foot (90m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 10,000 curies of Xenon-133 for a period of 4 days after drill-back operations. ‘Hoosic’ was a test of the minimum boosted yield for the W-45 warhead. 220th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12437, -116.03483.
1972 - ‘395’, ‘396’, and ‘397’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:22 GMT with a combined yield of 6 kilotons from the three devices, one weapons related, one peaceful research and one safety test, causing a 5.18 magnitude ground shock. 357th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7331, 78.0757.
1981 - ‘Iphiclès’ detonated in a shaft beneath the rim of Mururoa Atoll at 17:23 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons, causing a 4.77 magnitude ground shock. 115th French test. Coordinates: -21.86544, -138.82762.
MARCH 29TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 4 (8 devices)
Total yield: 117 kilotons
The Details:
1955 - ‘Apple-1’ detonated atop a 490 foot (150m) tower on Yucca Flat area 4 at 12:00 GMT with a yield of 14 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, far less than expected, when the fission primary failed to ignite the secondary thermonuclear fuel, resulting in less than the 40 kiloton design yield during Operation Teapot, but still releasing 2 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere . 57th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0955, -116.1037.
-- Six hours later at 16:59 GMT, ‘Wasp Prime’ detonated 750 feet (230m) above Yucca Flat area 7 with a yield of 3 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device after being air-dropped from a B-36. This was a repeat test of ‘Wasp’ detonated Feb 18 with a yield of 1.2 kilotons. 'Wasp Prime' released 450,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere to drift across the U.S. along with that from ‘Apple-1’. 58th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0866, -116.0586.
1963 - ‘Gerbil’ detonated in a vertical shaft 917 feet (279m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 15:49 GMT with a yield of 11 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Storax, creating a 551 foot (168m) diameter subsidence crater. 312th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0417, -116.01913.
1976 - ‘509’ detonated in a vertical shaft 3,248 feet (990m) beneath Atyrau, Kazakhstan with a yield of 10 kilotons as part of a cavity formation experiment for industrial purposes, causing a 4.3 magnitude ground shock. 438th Russian test. Coordinates: 47.88767, 48.12925.
1977 - ‘534 detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen/Murzhik, Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan at 03:56 GMT with a yield of 24 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 458th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.97, 78.086.
-- At the same instant, ‘535,’ ‘536,’ and ‘537’ detonated in the same tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk with a combined yield of 25 kilotons from the two weapons development and one safety test devices, causing a 5.41 magnitude ground shock. 457th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7704, 78.0136.
1981 - ‘721,’ ‘722’ and ‘723’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk at 04:03 GMT with a combined yield of 30 kilotons from the one weapons development and two fundamental science devices, causing a 5.49 magnitude ground shock. 568th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.02305, 78.97872.
MARCH 30TH
U.S. tests: 1 (2 devices)
Russian tests: 2 (3 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: 17.8 kilotons
The Details:
1963 - ‘Améthyste’ detonated in tunnel E-3 beneath Taourirt Tan Afella near In Ekker, French Algeria at 09:59 GMT with a yield of 2.5 kilotons, venting unknown radionuclides. 8th French test. Coordinates: 24.0434, 5.05672.
1965 - ‘Butan-1’ and ‘Butan-2’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts 4,396 feet (1,340m) and 4,510 Feet (1,375m) respectively beneath Bashkortostan, Russia with yields of 2.3 kilotons each as part of an oil stimulation test. 235th Russian test.
‘Butan-1’ coordinates: 53.1134, 55.85229.
‘Butan-2’ coordinates: 53.1134, 55.85029.
1972 - ‘Ocate’ and ‘Onaja’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts 915 feet (279m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 21:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from ‘Ocate’ and 8 kilotons from ‘Onaja’ (both LANL weapons development devices) during Operation Grommet, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock. 695th U.S. test.
‘Ocate’ coordinates: 37.00449, -116.01565.
‘Onaja’ coordinates: 37.0055, -116.02078.
1983 - ‘793’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:17 GMT with a yield of 2.7 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.61 magnitude ground shock. 608th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.781, 78.0413.
MARCH 31ST
U.S. tests: 3
French tests: 1
Total yield: 8.2 kilotons
The Details:
1953 - ‘Ruth’ detonated atop a 300 foot (190m) tower on Yucca Flat area 7 at 13:00 GMT with a yield of 0.2 kilotons (200 tons) from the LLNL weapons development device (‘Hydride-1’) during Operation Upshot-Knothole, releasing 28,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 35th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0827, -116.0248.
Side Note: ‘Ruth’ was the first LLNL designed device. It was a fizzle, not producing enough yield to “declassify” the tower it sat on. It had been predicted to have a yield of 1.5 to 3 kilotons with a theoretical possibility of 20 kilotons. The uranium hydride fission bomb had been considered during the days of the Manhattan Project as a possible way for reducing the required critical mass of uranium needed but the idea was abandoned as a practical bomb design. Edward Teller remained interested in the concept and used his prominent position to push hydride weapon development when the LLNL weapons lab opened in 1952. The failure of ‘Ruth’ was a major embarrassment to LLNL and - in particular - Edward Teller.
1962 - ‘Chinchilla II’ detonated in a vertical shaft 448 feet (136m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Nougat, creating a 236 foot (72m) subsidence crater and venting <10 curies of radiation from surface ground zero for a period of 30 minutes and again during drill-back operations. 221st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04687, -116.03776.
1982 - ‘Aeson’ detonated in a shaft 918 feet (280m) beneath the rim of Moruroa Atoll with ZERO yield as part of a safety test. 129th French test. Coordinates: -21.78462, -138.87469.
1984 - ‘Agrini’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,050 feet (320m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of 6 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Fusileer, causing a 4.5 magnitude ground shock, creating a 131 foot (40m) diameter subsidence crater, and venting 690 curies of Tritium, Xenon and Argon from surface ground zero fissures and again during drill-back operations. 940th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14648, -116.08512.
