WORLDWIDE TESTING IN OCTOBER
OCTOBER 1ST
U.S. tests: 3 (5 devices)
Russian tests: 4 (8 devices)
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 199.63 kilotons
The Details:
1954 - ‘12’ detonated 344 feet (105m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time after being air-dropped with a yield of 30 tons from the weapons development device. 11th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1961 - ‘115’ detonated 2,300 feet (700m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 3 kilotons from the weapons development device. 110th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1961 - ‘Boomer’ detonated in a vertical shaft 330 feet (100m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 21:30 GMT with a yield of <100 tons from the LANL XW-54 weapons development device during Operation Nougat, venting 2,500 curies of noble gases from gas sampling lines immediately following detonation. 197th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04829, -116.03526.
1965 -‘Corindon’ detonated in a tunnel beneath In Ekker, Algeria aat 10:00 GMT with a yield of 2.5 kilotons from the weapons development device. 15th French test. Coordinates: 24.06495, 5.0339.
1969 - ‘Seaweed –C’, ‘Seaweed-D’, and ‘Seaweed –E’ detonated simultaneously in separate adjacent vertical shafts 388 feet (118m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:30 GMT with yields of <20 kilotons each as part of one-point safety tests during Operation Mandrel. Seaweed-D vented an unspecified amount of Xenon from surface ground zero for a period of 10 minutes. 612th U.S. test.
'Seaweed-C' coordinates: 37.01141, -115.99935
'Seaweed-D' coordinates: 37.01048, -116.0003
'Seaweed-E' coordinates: 37.01371, -115.99935
1969 -‘331’ and ‘332’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 16 kilotons from '331' and unknown yield from '332', both weapons development devices, causing a 5.26 magnitude ground shock. 308th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7825, 78.0983.
1981 -‘Paliza’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,549 feet (472m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 19:00 GMT with a yield of 38 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Praetorian, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock and creating a 853 foot (260m) diameter subsidence crater. 894th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08156, -116.00962.
1981 - ‘740’, ‘741’, ‘742’, and ‘743’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel 2.000 feet (600m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 12:14 GMT with a combined yield of 140 kilotons from the four weapons development devices. 580th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.304, 54.818.
OCTOBER 2ND
U.S. tests: 6
Russian tests: 4
Total Yield: 1,672.2 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - 'Joe-58' detonated 5,310 feet (1,6180m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya - possibly at 08:00 GMT - with a yield of 290 kilotons from the air-dropped thermonuclear weapons development device. 65th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1958 - 'Joe-59' detonated at an unspecified altitude above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya - possibly at 09:01 GMT - with a yield of 40 kilotons from the fundamental science device. 66th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.63, 57.5.
1961 - 'Joe-94' detonated 4,900 feet (1,493m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 10:30 GMT with a yield of 250 kilotons. 111th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.92, 54.55
1962 - ‘Androscoggin’ detonated 10,270 feet (3,130m) above the Pacific Ocean 265 miles (426km) south of Johnston Atoll at 16:18 GMT with a yield of 75 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device after being air-dropped from a B-52 bomber. It was a fizzle as the thermonuclear secondary did not ignite. The device was retested successfully in the 'Housatonic' shot on October 30th with a yield of 8.3 megatons. 279th U.S. test. Coordinates: 13.8, -172.1.
1964 - ‘Auk’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,484 (452m) beneath Yucca Flat area U7 at 20:03 GMT with a yield of 12 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, causing a 4.89 magnitude ground shock. 182nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.07787, -116.00937.
1969 - ‘Milrow’ detonated in a vertical shaft 4,000 feet (1,220m) beneath Amchitka Island, Alaska at 22:06 GMT with a yield of 1 megaton from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 6.4 magnitude ground shock and creating a subsidence crater 2,000 feet (610m) in diameter. ''Milrow' was a seismic calibration test for the planned 5 megaton 'Cannikin' shot at Amchitka. 613th U.S. test. Coordinates: 51.41572, 179.17939.
Side Note: The test had originally been named “Ganja” until somebody at DOE headquarters in Washington, DC discovered the word’s more common usage, prompting the name to be changed amid fears that the press would start referring to it as a “pot shot.”.
1973 - ‘Polygonum’ detonated in a vertical shaft 700 feet (213m) beneath Yucca Flat area U2 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Arbor. 734th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15903, -116.07413.
1973 - ‘Waller’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,020 feet (310m) beneath Yucca Flat area 2 at 15:15 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Arbor, causing a 3.9 magnitude shock wave, and venting 3 curies of Xenon during drillback operations. 735th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15386, -116.06858.
1974 - ‘Kristall’ detonated in a vertical shaft 322 feet (98m) beneath Sakha, Russia at 01:00 GMT with a yield of 1.7 kilotons from the peaceful purposes device as part of an earth-moving test, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock and creating a 196 foot (60m) crater. 409th Russian test. Coordinates: 66.45723, 112.39882.
Side Note: 'Kristal' was an experiment to build a dam on the Deldyn River. This was the first of 8 planned detonations, but the project was scrubbed by high radioactivity caused by the detonation.
1984 - ‘Vermejo’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,149 feet (350m) beneath Yucca Flat area U4 at 18:14 GMT with a yield of 2.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, causing a 4.2 magnitude ground shock. 952nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08516, -116.0537.
OCTOBER 3RD
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 3
Chinese tests: 1
Total Yield: 29.2 kilotons
The Details:
1954 - ‘Joe-9’ detonated 430 feet (130m) above Ground, Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 2 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 12th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1968 - ‘Welder’ detonated in a vertical shaft 386 feet (117m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons as part of a safety test of a LANL device during Operation Bowline. 565th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04665, -116.03048.
1968 - 'Knife C’ detonated in a vertical shaft 989 feet (301m) beneath Yucca Flat area U3 at 14:29 GMT with a yield of 3 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, creating a 459 foot (140m) diameter subsidence crater. . 566th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.02591, -115.99396.
1972 - ‘Region-4’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,647 feet (490m) beneath Kalmykia, Russia at 09:00 GMT with a yield of 6.6 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock. 372nd Russian test. Coordinates: 46.853, 44.938.
1984 - China detonated a device in a vertical shaft beneath Area C (Beishan), Lop Nur, China at 05:59 GMT with a yield of 9.1 kilotons, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 32nd test. Coordinates: 41.5709, 88.7269.
Side Note: This was the 4th attempt at testing a neutron bomb. It was also the 4th failure. The fifth try was a success.
1987 - ‘Batolit-2’ detonated in a vertical shaft 3,300 feet (1,000m) beneath Aktobe, Kazakhstan at 15:15 GMT with a yield of 8.5 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock. 686th Russian test. Coordinates: 47.6, 56.2.
OCTOBER 4TH
Russian tests: 6
British tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 3,256.8 kilotons
The Details:
1956 - ‘Marcoo’ detonated on the dry surface of Maralinga Range, South Australia at 07:00 GMT with a yield of 1.5 kilotons from the "Blue Danube" weapons development device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Buffalo, leaving a 164 foot (50m) diameter crater. 7th United Kingdom test. Coordinates: -29.8818, 131.6247
1958 - ‘72’ detonated 2,600 feet (800m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at an unspecified time with a yield of 9 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 67th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1961 - ‘Joe-95’ detonated 1,985 feet (605m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 07:01 GMT with a yield of 13 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 112th Russian detonation. Coordinates: 50.45, 77.75.
1961 - ‘Joe-96’ detonated 6,900 feet (2,100m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya, at 07:30 GMT with a yield of 3,000 kilotons (3 megatons) from the thermonuclear weapons development device after being air-dropped, causing a 4.5 magnitude ground shock. 113th Russian detonation. Coordinates: 73.75, 54.3.
1966 - ‘Sirus’ detonated atop a barge 33 feet (10m) above Dindon Zone, Mururoa Atoll, French Polynesia at 21:00 GMT with a yield of 205 kilotons from the boosted fission weapons development device. 23rd French test. Coordinates: -21.87, -139.
1971 - ‘Globus-2’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,952 feet (595m) beneath Arkhangelsk, Russia at 10:00 GMT with a yield of 2.3 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock. 346th Russian test. Coordinates: 61.358, 48.092.
1979 - ‘Kimberlit-1’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,760 feet 840 meters beneath Khanty-Mansi, Russia at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 22 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 533rd Russian test. Coordinates: 60.675, 71.455.
1989 - '971' detonated in a tunnel 308 feet (94m) beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 11:30 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock. 713th Russian test.
OCTOBER 5TH
US Tests: 3
Russian tests: 3
Chinese tests: 2
Total Yield: 221.2825 kilotons
The Details:
1954 - ‘Joe-10' detonated on the dry surface of Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:00 GMT with a yield of 4 kilotons from the weapons development device. 13th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.416, 77.74
1958 - ‘Joe-61’ detonated 3,900 feet (1,200m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 68th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1958 - “Hidalgo’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 360 feet (110m) above Yucca Flat area 7 at 14:10 GMT with a yield of 0.077 kilotons from the LANL "Moccasin" device during Operation Hardtack II as part of a one-point safety test which far exceeded allowable yield, spewing 11,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 166th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0866, -116.0245.
1958 - ‘Colfax’ detonated in an unstemmed vertical shaft 351 feet (107m) below Yucca Flat area 3 at 16:15 GMT with a yield of 0.0055 kilotons from the LANL "Gnat" device during Operation Hardtack II as part of a one-point safety test, exceeding allowable yield and spewing 240,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 167th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04882, -116.03491.
1962 - ‘Mississippi’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,620 feet (493m) beneath Yucca Flat area 9 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 115 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Storax, causing a 5.06 magnitude ground shock, creating a 849 feet (259m) diameter subsidence crater, and venting 4,900 curies of radioactive Xenon for a period of 15 hours during drillback operation on Oct 7th. 280th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13937, -116.0512.
1975 - ‘495’ detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 04:27 GMT with a yield of 0.2 kilotons from the weapons development device.
429th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.78143, 78.09052.
1982 - China detonated a nuclear device beneath Area D, Lop Nur, China at an unspecified time with a yield of 7 kilotons, causing a 4.5 magnitude ground shock. It was a fizzle. 29th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.5, 88.5.
1993 - China detonated a nuclear device in a vertical shaft beneath Area C (Beishan), Lop Nur, China at 01:59 GMT with a yield of 80 kilotons, causing a 5.9 magnitude ground shock. 41st Chinese detonation. Coordinates: 41.59, 88.70312.
OCTOBER 6TH
US Tests: 2
Russian tests:6 (7 devices)
Chinese tests: 1
Total Yield: 7,039.7 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - 'Joe-41' detonated 6,960 feet (2,012m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 09:00 GMT with a yield of 2,900 kilotons from the RDS-46 two-stage thermonuclear device after being air-dropped by a Tupolev Tu-16 bomber. 47th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.8, 55.
Side Note: The RDS-46 was Russia's first warhead intended for use on an intercontinental ballistic missile, the R-7 Semyorka.
1958 - 'Joe-62' detonated 3,900 feet (1,200m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at an unspecified time with a yield of 5.5 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 69th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1961 - 'Joe-97' detonated 8.900 feet (2,700m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 07:00 GMT with a yield of 4,000 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 114th Russian test. Coordinates: 74.3, 51.6.
1961 - 'Joe-98 Grom' (Thunder) detonated 25.7 miles (41.3km) atop a missile above Missile Test Range, Kapustin Yar, Astrakhan at an unspecified time with a yield of 40 kilotons from the anti-ballistic missile device as part of a weapons effects test after being launched from Kapustin Yar, Astrakhan. 115th Russian test.
Launch coordinates: 48.56956, 45.90346.
Detonation coordinates: 48.45, 44.3.
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1962 - 'Bumping' detonated 10,010 feet (3,050m) above the Pacific Ocean 168 miles (271km) southeast of Johnston Atoll at 16:03 GMT with a yield of 11.3 kilotons (a much lower yield than expected) from the LLNL "Oboe" weapons development device during Operation Dominic. 283rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 14.6, -168.3.
1967 - 'Tavda' detonated in a vertical shaft 560 feet (170m) beneath Tyumen, Russia at 06:59 GMT with a yield of 0.3 kilotons as part of a cavity formation test, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock. 274th Russian test. Coordinates: 57.69, 65.27.
1976 - 'Gouda' detonated in a vertical shaft 656 feet (200m) beneath Yucca flat area 2 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of 0.6 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Fulcrum, causing a 3.7 magnitude ground shock. 801st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13451, -116.06315.
1983 - '821' and '822' detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft 1,080 feet (330m) beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 01:47 GMT with a combined yield of 82 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.95 magnitude ground shock. 625th Russian test: Coordinates: 49.92564, 78.75641.
1983 - China detonated a nuclear device (neutron bomb) in a vertical shaft beneath Area C (Beishan), Lop Nur, China at 09:59 GMT with an unknown yield, causing a 5.47 magnitude ground shock. 31st Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.54124, 88.7207.
Side Note: This was China's third attempt testing a neutron bomb. It was a failure.
OCTOBER 7TH
US Tests: 1
Russian tests:2
Chinese tests: 1
Total Yield: 433 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - 'Morgan' detonated beneath a tethered balloon 490 feet (150m) above Yucca Flat area 9 at 13:00 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the LLNL XW-45 "Swan" linear implosion device during the last shot of Operation Plumbbob, spewing 1.2 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 115th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1347, -116.0417.
1962 - '183' detonated above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 16.32 GMT with a yield of 320 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 176th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1979 - 'Sheksna' detonated in a vertical shaft 5.090 feet (1,550m) beneath Sakha, Russia at 21:00 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons as part of an oil stimulation test, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 534th Russian test. Coordinates: 61.85, 113.1.
1994 - China detonated a device in a vertical shaft beneath Area C (Beishan), Lop Nur, China at 03:25 GMT with a yield of 90 kilotons as part of a one-point safety test, causing a 6.0 magnitude ground shock. 43rd Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.5734, 88.72084.
OCTOBER 8TH
US Tests: 3
Russian tests:5
Total Yield: 275.372 kilotons
The Details:
1954 - 'Joe-11' detonated 902 feet (295m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 800 tons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 14th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
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1958 - ' Tamalpais' detonated in a tunnel 407 feet (124m) beneath Rainier Mesa area 12 at 22:00 GMT with a yield of 72 tons from the LLNL XW-48 weapons development device during Operation Hardtack II. 168th US test. Coordinates 37.19525, -116.20133.
1961 - 'Joe-99' detonated on a KSR-2 air-launched cruise missile 4,760 feet (1,450m) above Area A, Chyornaya Guba, Novaya Zemlya at an unspecified time with a yield of 15 kilotons after being launched from the Kola Peninsula Launch Area. 116th Russian test.
Launch coordinates: 70.63, 54.02
Detonation coordinates: 70.7, 54.6
1965 - '249' detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 29 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.47 magnitude ground shock. 241st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8259, 78.1114.
1969 - 'Pipkin' detonated in a vertical shaft 2,050 feet (624m) beneath Pahute Mesa area 2 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of 200 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock, creating a 308 foot (116m) subsidence crater and venting 6 curies of Xenon during drillback operations. 614th US test. Coordinates: 37.25667, -116.44164.
1971 - 'Cathay' detonated in a vertical shaft 1,040 feet (377m) beneath Yucca Flat area 9 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of 7 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Grommet, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock and creating a 839 foot (256m) diameter subsidence crater. 683rd US test. Coordinates: 37.11373, -116.0382
1978 - 'Vyatka' detonated in a vertical shaft 5,069 feet (1,545m) beneath Sakha, Russia at 00:00 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons as part of an oil stimulation test, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 500th Russian test. Coordinates: 61.55, 112.85.
1980 - 'Vega 1T' detonated in a vertical shaft 3,363 feet (1,025m) beneath Astrakhan, Russia at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 8.5 kilotons as part of a cavity formation test, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 556th Russian test. Coordinates: 46.75645, 48.27378.
OCTOBER 9TH
US Tests: 3
Russian tests:4
British tests: 1
North Korean tests: 1
Total Yield: 275.372 kilotons
The Details:
1957 - 'Taranaki' detonated beneath a tethered balloon 980 feet (300m) above Maralinga Range in Southern Australia at 06:45 GMT with a yield of 26.6 kilotons from the weapons development device during Operation Antler. 15th British test. Coordinates: -29.8948, 131.5916.
1962 - '184' detonated 2,116 feet (645m) abover Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 8 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 177th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1962 - '185' detonated 9,800 feet (3,000m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at an unspecified time with a yield of 15 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 178th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1964 - 'Par' detonated in a vertical shaft 1,325 feet (403m) beneath Yucca Flat area 2 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 38 kilotons from the LLNL peaceful purposes device during Operation Whetstone, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock, creating a 475 foot (145m) diameter subsidence crater, and venting 610 curies of Xenon for a period of 9 days during drillback operations. 385th US test. Coordinates: 37.15138, -116.0779.
Side Note: 'Par' was a Plowshares experiment using a high neutron flux device to create heavy isotopes.
1971 - '383' detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen/Murzhik, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 06:02 GMT with a yield of 12 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.37 magnitude ground shock. 347th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.97852, 77.64117.
1977 - '555' detonated in a tunnel 520 feet (160m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 10:59 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock and venting 3,000 curies of radiation. 471st Russian test. Coordinates: 73.409, 54.927.
1985 - 'Mill Yard' detonated in a cavity within a tunnel 1,217 feet (371m) beneath Rainier Mesa area 12 at 20:40 GMT with a yield of 75 tons from the LANL device as part of a weapons effect test during Operation Charioteer, venting 6 curies of Xenon during controlled venting of the tunnel. 969th US test. Coordinates: 37.20862, -116.20615.
Side Note: 'Mill Yard' was conducted in a cavity to reduce coupling of the blast to the earth, reducing the seismic signature of the blast to avoid detection.
1985 - 'Diamond Beech' detonated in a tunnel 1,327 ft (404m) beneath Rainier Mesa area 12 at 23:20 GMT with a yield of 2.5 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Charioteer, causing a 4.2 magnitude ground shock. 970th US test. Coordinates: 37.20962, -116.21097.
2006 - A nuclear device detonated in a tunnel 1,020 feet (310m) beneath Punggye-ri Test Site, North Korea at 1:35 GMT with a yield between 0.5 and 2 kilotons, causing a 4.2 magnitude ground shock. 1st North Korean test. Coordinates: 41.28505, 129.1084.
OCTOBER 10TH
Russian tests: 4
U. S. tests: 3
Total yield: 125.279 kilotons.
The Details:
1957 - ‘51’ detonated 30 meters underwater in Area A, Chyornaya Guba, Novaya Zemlya, Russia at 06:54 GMT with a yield of 6 kilotons from the RDS-9/T-5 torpedo as part of a weapons effects test. It had been launched underwater by B-130 submarine "some distance" from Guba Chernaya and resulted in "Very low residual radiation." 48th Russian test. Coordinates: 70.703, 54.6
1958 - ‘75’ detonated at an unspecified altitude above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya, Russia at 07:51 GMT with a yield of 68 kilotons after being air-dropped as part of a weapons development test. 70th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.63, 54.25
1958 - ‘Quay’ detonated on a tower 98 feet (30m) above Yucca Flat Area 7C at 14:30 GMT with a yield of .079 kilotons as part of a LLNL concept feasibility test of the XW-50 primary, venting 200 curies of I-131. 171st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0947, -116.0245
1961 - ‘Chena’ detonated in a tunnel 838 feet (255m) beneath Rainier Mesa area U-12 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of >20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development W-44 warhead, venting 760 curies of I-131. 200th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.19423, -116.20791
1962 - ‘186’ detonated 920 feet (280m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk test site at an unspecified time with a yield of 9.2 kilotons after being air-dropped as part of a weapons development test. 179th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8
1968 - ‘Vat’ detonated in a vertical shaft 639 feet (190m} beneath Yucca Flat area U-9 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the LLNL weapons related test. 580th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13327, -116.04318
1982 - ‘Neva-1’ detonated 1,500 meters beneath Sakha, Russia at 05:00 GMT with a yield of 21 kilotons as part of an oil stimulation test. Much like the US was doing as part of the failed Plowshares program. 598th Russian test. Coordinates: 61.55, 112.85
OCTOBER 11TH
Russian tests: 3 (12 devices)
U. S. tests: 2
British tests: 1
Total yield: 222.38 kilotons
The details:
1956 - ‘Kite’ detonated 492 feet (150m) above Maralinga Range South Australia at 05:57 GMT with a yield of 3 kilotons from the "Blue Danube" device after being air-dropped by a Vickers Valiant bomber during Operation Buffalo. 8th British test. Coordinates: -29.88915, 131.65805.
1961 - ‘Joe-100' detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 07:30 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the fundamental science device, causing a 4.78 magnitude ground shock. 117th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.76986, 77.9833.
Side Note: This was Russia's first underground detonation.
1963 - ‘Grunion’ detonated in a vertical shaft 857 feet (261m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Niblick, creating a 479 foot (146m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 4,000 curies of Xenon and Iodine during drillback operations. 339th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.03735, -116.02196.
1963 - ‘Tornillo’ detonated in a vertical shaft 489 feet (149m) beneath Yucca Flat area 9 at 21:00 GMT with a yield of 0.38 kilotons from the LLNL peaceful purposes device during Operation Niblick, creating a 393 foot (120m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 520 curies of Xenon for 12 hours during drillback operations. 340th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11867, -116.03473.
Side Note: This was a Plowshare experiment to provide a clean device for excavation using nuclear explosives.
1980 - ‘698’, '699', '700', '701', '702', '703', and '704' detonated simultaneously in a tunnel 2,000 feet (600m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 07:09 GMT with a combined yield of 130 kilotons from the seven weapons development devices, causing a 5.76 ground shock. 557th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.336, 54.94.
1982 - ‘778’, ‘779’, ‘780’, and ‘781’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 07:14 with a combined yield of 80 kilotons from the four weapons development devices. 599th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.339, 54.608.
OCTOBER 12TH
Russian tests: 3 (4 devices)
U. S. tests: 2
Total yield: 1,722 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - 'Joe-64' detonated over Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya, at 07:53 GMT with a yield of 1,450 kilotons from the thermonuclear weapons development device after being air-dropped. 71st Russian test. Coordinates: 74.93, 53.32.
1961 - 'Joe-101’ detonated 2,200 feet (670m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 05:31 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 118th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.45, 77.75.
1962 ‘Roanoke’ detonated in a vertical shaft 507 feet (154m) beneath Yucca Flat area 9 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 7 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Storax, creating a 465 foot (142m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 1,200 curies of Xenon from surface ground zero for over an hour after detonation and for an hour during drillback operations. 283th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1227, -116.05168.
1962 - ‘Wolverine’ detonated in a vertical shaft 240 feet (73m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Storax, venting 100 curies of radiation from surface ground zero for 88 minutes after detonation. 284th U.S. test. Coordinates:
1973 - ‘Husky ACE’ detonated in a tunnel 1,363 feet (415m) beneath Rainier Mesa area 12 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the LANL weapons effects device during Operation Arbor, causing a 4.8 magnitude ground shock. 736th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.20034, -116.20404.
1980 - ‘705’ and '706' detonated in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:34 GMT with a combined yield of 102 kilotons, causing a 5.88 magnitude ground shock. 558th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.9675, 79.0225.
'705' Emplacement depth: 1,440 feet (440m)
'706' Emplacement depth: 1,670 feet (510m)
1990 - ‘Tenabo’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,000 feet (600m) beneath Yucca Flat area 2 at 17:30 with a yield of 140 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Sculpin, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock and venting Iodine-131 and Xenon during drillback operations. 1,039th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.24781, -116.4951
OCTOBER 13TH
Russian tests: 1
U. S. tests: 3 (5 devices)
Total yield: 159.3 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Lea’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,500 feet (460m) above Yucca Flat area 7 at 13:20 GMT with a yield of 1.4 kilotons from the LANL XW-54 Davey Crockett/SADM warhead during Operation Hardtack II, spewing 240,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 170th U.S test. Coordinates: 37.0866, -116.0245.
Side Note: The intended full-yield device fizzled.
1962 - ‘187’ detonated 2,360 feet (720m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 4.9 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 180th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1970 - ‘Scree-Acajou’, Scree-Alhambra’, and Scree-Chamois’ detonated simultaneously in separate adjacent vertical shafts under Yucca Flat area 9 at 15:05 GMT with yields indicated below from the LLNL devices during Operation Emery, causing a 3.9 magnitude ground shock. 656th U.S. test.
- 'Scree-Acajou’ - Weapons development - Yield: 1 kiloton
Emplacement depth: 818 feet (249m). Coordinates: 37.1374, -116.03491
Vented 11 curies of Xenon from surface ground zero 1-1/2 minutes after detonation.
- 'Scree-Alhambra’ - Weapons development - Yield: 2 kilotons
Emplacement depth: 630 feet (192m). Coordinates: 37.13406, -116.0324
Created a 164 foot (50m) diameter subsidence crater
- 'Scree-Chamois’ - Safety test - Yield: Unspecified
Emplacement depth: Unspecified. Coordinates: 37.13733, -116.03217
1988 - ‘Dalhart’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,099 feet (639m) beneath Yucca Flat area 4 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Cornerstone, causing a 5.80 magnitude ground shock and creating a 853 foot (260m) diameter subsidence crater. 1,016th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.08895, -116.05013.
OCTOBER 14TH
U. S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 4 (8 devices)
British tests: 1
Chinese tests: 2
Total yield: 6,257.615 kilotons
The Details:
1953 - ‘T1’ detonated atop a 102 foot (31m) tower at Emu Field, South Australia at 21:30 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the "Blue Danube" implosion device as part of Operation Totem. 2nd British test. Coordinates: -28.69849, 132.37159.
Side Notes:
The Totem operation was to determine how much Plutonium-240 the plutonium pit could safety contain. Plutonium 239 was the principle isotope in a fissile pit. Although Plutonium-240 was fissile material, it had a tendency for spontaneous fission that could lead to a criticality accident or reduce the yield of the device. Because the reactor at Windscale could not produce the quantities of PU-239 the British needed, another type reactor was built to increase plutonium production but was operated in such a way that it also created higher proportions of PU-240, necessitating tests using the material.
The detonation of 'T1' was preceded by three "Kitten" tests carried out at the Emu Field site. The name 'Kitten" was given to neutron initiators which produced massive quantizes of neutrons needed to start a chain reaction. These three tests did not result in a nuclear yield but used conventional explosives to compress the polonium-210, beryllium and natural uranium initiators. They were performed without formal Australian government approval and left the areas contaminated with highly radioactive polonium and toxic beryllium.
1958 - ‘Neptune’ detonated in a tunnel 98 feet (30m) beneath Rainier Mesa area 12 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 115 tons as part of a LLNL XW-47 one-point safety test during Operation Hardtack II. 171st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.19381, -116.20057.
1962 - ‘181’ detonated 2,379 feet (725m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified with a yield of 10 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 181st Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1965 - ‘Sary-Uzen’ detonated in a vertical shaft 157 feet (48m) beneath Sary-Uzen/Murzhik, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 04:00 GMT with a yield of 1.1 kilotons as part of an industrial earth-moving test, creating a crater 426 feet (130m) in diameter. 242nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.99102, 77.63508.
1969 - ‘309-1’, '309-2' and '309-3' detonated simultaneously in a tunnel 1,600 feet (500m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar,Novaya Zemlya at 07:00 GMT with a yield of 540 kilotons from the three weapons development devices, causing a 6.3 magnitude ground shock and venting more than 1 million curies of radiation. 309th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.39, 54.787.
Side Note: 80 military personnel witnessing the test were exposed to radionuclide venting at levels of 40–80 rads.
1970 - ‘Tijeras’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,839 feet (560m) beneath Yucca Flat area 7 at 14:15 GMT with a yield of 89 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Emery, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock and creating a 1,010 foot (398m) diameter subsidence crater. 657th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.07085, -116.00566.
1970 - ‘356’, ‘357’, and ‘358’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel 3.900 feet (1,200m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 05:59 GMT with a combined yield of 2,200 kilotons from the three weapons development devices, causing a 6.79 magnitude ground shock and venting 2 million curies of radiation. 327th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.304, 55.027.
1970 - 'CHIC-11' detonated above Area D (Drop Area), Lop Nur, China at 7:29 GMT with a yield of 3,400 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock. 11th Chinese test. Coordinates: 40.52, 89.779.
1971 - ‘Lagoon’ detonated 1,000 feet (304m) beneath Yucca Flat area 10 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development test during Operation Grommet, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock and creating a 196 foot (60m) diamter subsidence crater. 684th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.17987, -116.05396.
1977 - ‘Galit’ detonated 2,000 feet (600m) beneath Atyrau, Kazakhstan at 06:59 GMT with a yield of 100 tons as part of a cavity formation test to create reservoirs for gas storage. The test was a fizzle. 472nd Russian test. Coordinates: 47.909, 47.912.
1978 - China detonated a warhead in a vertical shaft beneath Area C (Beishan), Lop Nur, China at 00:59 GMT with a yield of 3.4 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock.. 24th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.5398, 88.767.
Side Note: This was China's first vertical shaft detonation.
OCTOBER 15TH
U. S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 2
Total yield: 1,512,012
The Details:
1958 - ‘Hamilton’ detonated atop a 49 foot (15m) tower on Frenchman Flats area 5 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 1.2 tons LLNL XW-51 "Quail" weapons development device during Operation Hardtack II. 172nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.8022, -115.9331.
Side Note: The extremely small 35 pound (16kg) Davy Crockett prototype device fizzled.
1958 - ‘Joe-65’ detonated 7,050 feet (2,150m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 07:51 GMT with a yield of 1,500 kilotons from the thermonuclear weapons development device after being air-dropped. 72nd Russian test. Coordinates: 74, 51.8.
1966 - ‘Khaki’ detonated in a vertical shaft 763 feet (232m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 19:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the weapons development device during Operation Latchkey. 475th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04704, -116.01772.
1978 - ‘610’ detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 05:37 GMT with a yield of 12 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 5.15 magnitude ground shock. 501st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7395, 78.1127.
OCTOBER 16TH
U. S. tests: 7 (8 devices)
Russian tests: 7
Chinese tests: 2
Total yield: 1,313.438 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Logan’ detonated in a tunnel 930 feet (283m) beneath Rainier Mesa area 12 at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, an ABM warhead, during Operation Hardtack II. 173rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.18399, -116.20206.
1958 - ‘Dona Ana’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 490 feet (150m) above Yucca Flat area 7 at 14:20 GMT with a yield of 37 tons from the LANL weapons development device, a XW-54 "Gnat", spewing 6,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 174th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0866, -116.0245
1963 - ‘Clearwater’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,798 feet (548m) beneath Rainier Mesa area 12 at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 60 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Niblick, causing a 5.3 magnitude ground shock and venting 4,600 curies of Iodine and Xenon during drillback operations for a period of seven hours. 341st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.19812, -116.23038.
1964 - ‘Barbel ‘ and ‘Turnstone’ detonated simultaneously in separate but adjacent vertical shafts 849 feet (258m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 15:59 GMT with a yield of 7 kilotons from 'Barbel' and <20 kilotons from 'Turnstone' both LANL weapons development devices during Operation Whetstone . 'Barbell' vented 290 curies of Iodine and Xenon during drillback operations. 386th U.S. test.
'Barbel' coordinates: 37.03948, -116.01641.
'Turnstone' coordinates: 37.03349, -116.02555.
1964 - ‘596’ detonated atop a 335 foot (102m) tower on Area D (Drop Area), Lop Nur, China at 07:00 GMT with a yield of 22 kilotons from the uranium implosion weapons development device. 1st Chinese test. Coordinates: 40.81246, 89.7901.
1969 - ‘Seaweed-B’ detonated in a vertical shaft 388 feet (118m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons in a safety-related LANL test during Operation Mandrel. 615th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01255, -115.99901.
1974 - ‘Argon-3’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 06:33 GMT with a yield of 19 kilotons in a weapons effects test, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock. 410th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.98773, 78.89438.
1980 - China detonated a warhead over Area D (Drop Area), Lop Nur, China at 04:30 GMT with a yield of 1,000 kilotons from the ballistic missile warhead. 28th Chinese test. Coordinates: 40.719, 89.651.
Side Note: This was the last atmospheric detonation conducted in the world.
1981 - ‘744’ detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 1 ton as part of a safety test. 581st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.82982, 78.08045.
1982 - ‘Vega-7T’ detonated in a vertical shaft 3,199 feet (975m) beneath Astrakhan, Russia at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 13.5 kilotons as part of a cavity formation experiment for the storage of natural gas, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 600th Russian test. Coordinates: 46.75823, 48.24466.
-- Five minutes later at 06:05 GMT, ‘Vega-6T' detonated in an adjacent vertical shaft 3,250 feet (990m) beneath Astrakhan, Russia with a yield of 8.6 kilotons, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 601st Russian test. Coordinates: 46.74941, 48.25691.
--Five minutes later at 06:10 GMT, ‘Vega-5T’ detonated in an adjacent vertical shaft 6,000 feet (1,100m) beneath Astrakhan, Russia with a yield of 8.6 kilotons, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 602nd Russian test. Coordinates; 46.766, 48.288.
-- Five minutes later at 06:15 GMT, ‘Vega-3T’ detonated in an adjacent vertical shaft 3,480 feet (1,060m) beneath Astrakhan, Russia with a yield of 8.6 kilotons, causing a 5.4 magnitude ground shock. 603rd Russian test. Coordinates: 46.75972, 48.29865.
1985 - ‘Roquefort’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,362 feet (415m) beneath Yucca Flat area 4 at 21:35 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Charioteer, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock. 971st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1103, -116.12309.
1986 - ‘Belmont’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,985 (605m) beneath Paiute Mesa area 20 at 19:25 GMT with a yield of 140 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Musketeer, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock. 987th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.22016, -116.46252.
1987 - '927' detonated in a tunnel 269 feet (82m) beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 06:06 GMT with a yield of 1.1 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock. 687th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7313, 78.0906.
OCTOBER 17TH
U. S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 4 (6 devices)
Total yield: 147.624 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Vesta’ detonated on the dry surface of Yucca Flat area 9 at 23:00 GMT with a yield of 24 tons as part of a safety test of the LLNL XW-47 primary device during Operation Hardtack II, spewing 4,000 curies of radiation into the atmosphere 175th U.S. test. 37.1226, -116.0347.
1961 - ‘Joe-102' detonated 1,657 feet (505m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 0700 GMT with a yield of 6.6 kilotons from the weapons development device. 119th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.45, 77.75.
1963 - ‘Mullet’ detonated in a vertical shaft 198 feet (60m) beneath Yucca Flat area 2 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons as part of a safety test of the LLNL device. 342nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.13076, -116.06783.
1967 - ‘288’ and ‘289’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site with a combined yield of 45 kilotons from the two peaceful research devices, causing a 5.63 magnitude ground shock. 275th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7809, 78.0038.
1974 - ‘Estaca’ detonated 1,053 feet (321m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 17:13 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bedrock. 760th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00639, -116.01559.
1978 - ‘Galit-1' and 'Galit-2' detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft 3,410 feet (1,040m) beneath Atyrau, Kazakhstan at 04:59 GMT with a combined yield of 74 kilotons as part of a cavity formation test. 502nd Russian test. Coordinates: 47.84661, 48.12042
1978 - ‘Kraton-1’ detonated 1,946 feet (593m) beneath Khanty-Mansi, Russia at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 22 kilotons as part of a seismic sounding test, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock. 503rd Russian test. Coordinates: 63.185, 63.432.
OCTOBER 18TH
U. S. tests: 5
Russian tests: 9 (15 devices)
Total yield: 6,224.49 kilotons
The Details:
1951 - ‘Joe-3’ detonated 1,250 feet (380m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:53 GMT with a yield of 42 kilotons from the RDS-3 weapons development device, the first Russian air-dropped device.. 3rd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.43, 77.83.
1958 - ‘Rio Arriba’ detonated atop a 66 foot (20m) wooden tower on Yucca Flat area 3 at 14:25 with a yield of 90 tons from the LANL Mk-7 weapons development device during Operation Hardtack II, spewing 120,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 176th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0411, -116.0267.
1958 - ‘Joe-66’ detonated over Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 09:51 with a yield of 2,900 kilotons from the weapons development thermonuclear device. 73rd Russian test. Coordinates: 73.97, 52.47.
1962 - ‘Chama’ detonated 11,980 feet (3,650m) above the Pacific Ocean 157 miles (253km) southeast of Johnston Island at 16:01 GMT with a yield of 1,590 kilotons from the LANL "Thumbelina" weapons development device after being parachute-retarded air-dropped during Operation Dominic I. 285th U.S. test. Coordinates: 14.6, -168.7.
Side Note: "Thumbelina" was a lightweight small diameter device, possible replacement for W-38, yield below predicted value.
1962 -‘Tioga’ detonated in a vertical shaft 195 feet (59m) beneath Yucca Flat area 9 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Storax. 286th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1285, -116.04111.
1967 - ‘Lanpher’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,343 feet (714m) beneath Yucca Flat area 2 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of 160 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock, creating a 980 foot (299m) diameter subsidence crater, and venting 5 curies of Xenon during drillback operations. 518th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11554, -116.05848.
1975 - ‘498’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Area A, Chyornaya Guba, Novaya Zemlya at 08:59:59 GMT with a yield of 600 kilotons from the weapons development device. 430th Russian test. Coordinates: 70.795, 53.712.
1975 - '496' and '497' detonated simultaneously in a vertical shaft 3,600 feet (1,100m) beneath Area A, Chyornaya Guba, Novaya Zemlya at 09:00 GMT with a combined yield of 600 kilotons, causing a 6.75 magnitude ground shock. 431st Russian test. Coordinates: 70.99, 53.7.
1979 - ‘661’ and ‘662’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk test site at 04:17 GMT with a combined yield of 15 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.23 magnitude ground shock. 535th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.82, 78.1003.
1979 - ‘663’, '664', ‘665’, and ‘666’ detonated in the same tunnel 1,600 feet (500m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 07:09 GMT with a combined yield of 150 kilotons from the four weapons development devices, causing a 5.85 magnitude ground shock. 536th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.316, 54.816.
1981 -’745 and ‘746’ detonated simultaneously in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:57 with a combined yield of 107 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 6.0 magnitude ground shock. 582nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7401, 78.0965.
1984 - ‘858’ detonated in a tunnel 348 feet (106m) beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk at 04:57 GMT with a yield of 1.4 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 4.25 magnitude ground shock. 650th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7328, 78.0987.
1988 - ‘950’ detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:50 GMT with a yield of 6 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock. 702nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7799, 78.0079.
1991 - ‘Lubbock’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,500 feet (457m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 19:12 GMT with a yield of 53 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Julin, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 1,047th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.06338, -116.04616.
OCTOBER 19TH
U. S. tests: 1
Russian tests: 6 (8 devices)
Total yield: 204.5 kilotons
The Details:
1954 - ‘16’ detonated atop a 49 foot (15m) tower at Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 1 ton from the RDS-9 torpedo warhead. It was a FIZZLE. 15th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.372, 77.825.
1958 - ‘75’ detonated above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 07:27 GMT with a yield of 40 kilotons as part of a fundamental science test. 74th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1958 - '80' detonated 3,000 feet (900m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at an unspecified time with a yield of 1 ton from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 75th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1961 - ‘125’ detonated 2,330 feet (710m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 05:30 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 120th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.45, 77.75
1962 - ‘Bandicoot’ detonated in a vertical shaft 792 feet (241m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 18:00 GMT with a yield of 12.5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Storax, creating a 606 foot (185m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 3 million curies of particulate radiation from a ground fault at surface ground zero that drifted off-site. Released isotopes included Zirconium-95, Niobium-95, Ruthenium-103, Iodine-131, Tellurium-132, Barium- 140 and Lanthanum -140. Radiation was detected at Lathrop Wells, NV, Death Valley Junction, CA and Shoshone, CA with Iodone-131 found in milk at Springdale, NV. 286th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.03951, -116.02185.
1966 - ‘264’ detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:57 GMT with a yield of 55 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock.. 256th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7471, 78.0205.
1989 - ‘972’, '973' and '974' detonated simultaneously at varying depths in the same vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 09:50 GMT with a combined yield of 85 kilotons from the three weapons development devices, causing a 5.86 magnitude ground shock. 714th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.92222, 78.90833.
Emplacement depths:
'972' - 2,060 feet (628m)
'973' - 1,942 feet (592m)
'974' - 1,824 feet (556m)
OCTOBER 20TH
U. S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 4 (7 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: 1,967.7 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘San Juan’ detonated in an unstemmed vertical shaft 233 feet (71m) beneath Yucca Flat area3 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of ZERO from the LANL XW-42 device as part of a safety test during Operation Hardtack II. 177th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04976, -116.03325.
1958 - ‘Joe-68’ detonated above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 08:20 GMT with a yield of 440 kilotons from the weapons development thermonuclear device. 76th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.58, 54.3.
1961 - ‘Raduga (Rainbow)’ detonated atop a R-13/SS-N-4 “Sark” submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launched from a submarine in the Kola Peninsula Launch Area (Barents Sea) 1,740 feet (530m) over Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 08:07 GMT with a yield of 1,450 kilotons from the weapons development thermonuclear device. The missile traveled 361 miles (581km) from its launch point.
121st Russian Test.
Launch coordinates: 71, 39.
Detonation coordinates: 73.87, 54.35.
1962 - ‘Checkmate’ detonated atop a XM-33 Strypi rocket 91.5 miles (147km) above Johnston Island area at 08:28 GMT with a CLASSIFIED yield (but <20 kilotons) from the LANL XW-50 thermonuclear device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Fishbowl. 288th U.S. test.
Launch coordinates: 16.73365, -169.52534.
Detonation coordinates: 16.07239, -169.60997
Side Note: "Observers on Johnston Island saw a green and blue circular region surrounded by a blood-red ring formed overhead that faded in less than 1 minute. Blue-green streamers and numerous pink striations formed, the latter lasting for 30 minutes. Observers at Samoa saw a white flash, which faded to orange and disappeared in about 1 minute."
1962 - ‘189’ detonated 2,083 feet (635m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 6.7 kilotons from the weapons development device. 182nd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1963 - ‘Rubis’ detonated in a tunnel beneath Taourirt Tan Afella mountain,French Algeria at 13:00 GMT with a yield of 52 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock. 9th French test. Coordinates: 24.03495, 5.03666.
1976 - ‘522’, ‘523’, ‘524’, and ‘525’ detonated simultaneously in the same tunnel 980 feet (300m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 07:59 GMT with a combined yield of 13 kilotons, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 450th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.398, 54.812.
OCTOBER 21ST
Russian tests: 5 (10 devices)
Total yield: 1,585.25 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Joe-69’ detonated 1,870 feet (570m) meters above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at an unspecified time a yield of 2 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped.. 77th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1967 - ‘290’ and '291' detonated simultaneously in a tunnel at differing depths beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 04:59 GMT with a combined yield of 260 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.98 magnitude ground shock . 276th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.39, 54.81.
'290' emplacement depth: 2,000 feet (600m)
'291' emplacement depth: 1,600 feet (500m)
1968 - ‘Telkem-1’ detonated in a vertical shaft 102 feet (31m) beneath Semipalatinsk Test Site with a yield of 240 tons as part of an earth-moving test for creating a canal, causing a 4.05 magnitude ground shock . 291st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.72839, 78.48542.
1971 - ‘384’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Sary-Uzen/Murzhik, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 06:02 with a yield of 23 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.58 magnitude ground shock. 348th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.9744, 77.59698.
1975 - ‘499’, ‘500’, ‘501’, ‘502’, and ‘503’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel 2,300 feet (700m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 11:59 GMT with a combined yield of 1,300 kilotons, causing a 6.6 magnitude ground shock and venting 300,000 curies of radiation. 432nd Russian test.
Coordinates:
'499' - 73.31907, 54.9269
'500' - 73.3158, 54.93087
'501' - 73.31435, 54.93673
'502' - 73.31435, 54.93673
'503' - 73.31435, 54.93673
OCTOBER 22ND
U.S. tests: 6
Russian tests: 5
Total yield: 11,335,153 kilotons
The Details:
1951 - ‘Able’ detonated atop a 98 foot (30m) tower on Yucca Flat area 7 at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 50 tons from the LANL MK-6 "Petite Plutonium" device during Operation Buster. A fizzle. 7th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0838, -116.0248.
Side Note: The "Petite Plutonium" device had initially been tested on October 19, but failed to detonate because of control wiring problems.
1958 - ‘Sorroco’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,440 feet (440m) above Yucca Flat area 7 at 13:30 GMT with a yield of 6 kilotons from the LANL XW-54 "Gnat" weapons development device during Operation Hardtack II, a full-yield test of the thermonuclear primary device, which spewed 1,000,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 178th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0866, -116.0245.
1958 - 'Wrangell’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,510 feet (460m) above Frenchman Flat, area 5 at 16:50 GMT with a yield of 115 tons from the LLNL designed XW-47 "Canary" device during Operation Hardtack II, dumping 17,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. The full-yield test was a fizzle. 179th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.798, -115.9298.
1958 - ‘Oberon’ detonated atop a 26 foot (8m) tower on Yucca Flat area 8 at 20:30 GMT with ZERO yield from the LLNL designed XW-47 "Canary" primary device as part of a successful one-point safety test during Operation Hardtack II, yet dumping 17,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 180th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1829, -116.0691
1958 - ‘Rushmore’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 490 feet (150) meters above Yucca Flat area 9 at 23:40 GMT with a yield of 188 tons from the LLNL designed XW-47 "Canary" primary device as part of a low yield test that fizzled during Operation Hardtack II. 181st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1347, -116.0417.
1958 - ‘Joe-70’ detonated 6,790 feet (2,070m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 08:21 GMT with a yield of 2,800 kilotons from the weapons development thermonuclear device after being air-dropped . 78th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.53, 53.1.
1962 -‘Project K-3’ detonated atop a rocket 180 miles (290km) above Karagandy, Kazakhstan Missile Test Range at 3:40 GMT with a yield of 300 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test after being launched from Kapustin Yar, Astrakhan. The missile traveled 831 miles (1,338km) down-range of its launch point. 183th Russian test.
Launch coordinates: 48.56956, 45.90346.
Detonation coordinates: 47.76469, 63.95136.
Side Note: Project K was a series of five high altitude detonations to study of the effects of electromagnetic pulses. K-3 exploded short of its target above Sary Shagan. The EMP ran to thousands of amps, damaging at least 354 miles (570km) of telephone lines, 621 miles (1000km) of buried power lines, and caused the destruction of the Karaganda power plant.
1962 -‘183’ detonated 10,600 feet (3,230m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 09:06 GMT with a yield of 8,200 kilotons from the thermonuclear weapons development device, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock. 184th Russian test
1964 -‘Salmon’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,720 feet (830m) beneath Lamar County, Mississippi 10 miles (17km) southwest of Hattiesburg at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 5.3 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a Vela Uniform - Project Dribble nuclear detection test during Operation Whetstone, causing a 4.6 magnitude ground shock . 387th U.S. test. Coordinates: 31.14229, -89.57001.
Side Note: 'Salmon' was detonated in the Tatum Salt Dome.
1971 - ‘Sapfir-1’ detonated in a vertical shaft 3,740 feet (1,140m) beneath Orenburg, Russia at 05:00 GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons as part of a cavity formation experiment, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock. 349th Russian test. Coordinates: 51.6, 54.45..
1981 - ‘Shapat-2’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,900 feet (580m) beneath Krasnoyarsk, Russia: at 14:00 GMT with a yield of 8.5 kilotons as part of a natural gas stimulation test, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock. 583rd Russian test. Coordinates: 63.80332, 97.53177
OCTOBER 23RD
U.S. tests: 2
Russian tests: 4
British tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total yield: 11,335,153 kilotons
The Details:
1954 - ‘Joe-12’ detonated 1,350 feet (410m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 62 kilotons from the RDS-3 with an improved neutron initiator weapons development device after being air-dropped.. 16th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1956 - ‘R4/Breakaway’ detonated atop a 102 foot (31m) tower on Maralinga Range, South Australia at 14:25 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the 'Red Beard' device during Operation Buffalo. 9th British test. Coordinates: -29.89305, 131.60474.
1961 - ‘Korall’ detonated 82 feet (20m) beneath the waters of Chyornaya Guba (Bay), Area A, Novaya Zemlya at 08:31 GMT with a yield of 4.8 kilotons from the RDS-9 torpedo as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock.. 122nd Russian test. Coordinates: 70.703, 54.6.
Side Note: The RDS-9 nuclear torpedo was fired by submarine B–130 in Chyornaya Bay and ran underwater for 7.7 miles (12.5km) before detonating.
1961 - ‘Joe-106 ’ detonated 11,500 feet (3,500m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 10:30 GMT with a yield of 12,500 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 123rd Russian test. Coordinates: 73.75, 54.3.
1964 - ‘Garden’ detonated in a vertical shaft 491 feet (149m) beneath Yucca Flat area 9 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Wetstone. 388th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11699, -116.03202
1980 - ‘707’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk test site at 03:57 GMT with an unknown yield from the weapons development device. 559th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.74813, 78.12673.
1987 - ‘Helenos’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Lagoon, Areas 5-7, Moruroa Atoll at 16:50 GMT with a yield of 51 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.62 magnitude ground shock. 172nd French test. Coordinates: -21.84338, -138.92235.
1987 - ‘Borate’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,780 feet (542m) beneath Yucca Flat area 2 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 38 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Touchstone, causing a 5.2 magnitude ground shock, creating a 721 foot (220m) diameter subsidence crater and venting Iodine-131 during drillback operations.. 1,002nd U.S test. Coordinates: 37.14185, -116.07957.
OCTOBER 24TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 3 (11 devices)
British tests: 1
French tests: 2
Total yield: 1,154.0227. kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Catron’ detonated atop a 66 foot (20m) wooden tower on Yucca Flat area 3 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 21 tons from the LANL XW-54 "Gnat" device as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Hardtack II. 182nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0427, -116.0277.
1958 - 'Juno' detonated on the dry surface of Yucca Flat area 9 at 16:01 GMT with a yield of 1.7 tons from the LLNL "Logan" device as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Hardtack II. 183rd U.S. test.
1958 - ‘Joe-71 detonated 5,003 feet (1,525m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 08:30 GMT with a yield of 1,000 kilotons from the weapons development device. 79th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.68, 54.97.
1975 - ‘Husky Pup’ detonated in a tunnel 1,076.0 feet (327m) beneath Rainier Mesa area 12 at 17:11GMT with a yield of 15 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a Department of Defense weapons effects test. 781st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.22174, -116.18019.
1975 - 'Peninsula' was never detonated as it became stuck in its vertical shaft below Yucca Flat area 2 while being emplaced. The device was abandoned and destroyed on December 14, 1979 by 'Azul' during Operation Tinderbox. This does not count as a test.
1979 - 'Galit-1' and 'Galit-2' detonated simultaneously in a vertical shaft 2,790 feet (850m) beneath Atyrau, Kazakhstan with yields of 3 and 30 kilotons respectively as part of a cavity excavation test for the storage of natural gas, causing a 5.8 magnitude ground shock. Russia’s 537th test. Coordinates: 47.85243, 48.14327.
1980 - ‘Dutchess’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,400 feet (426m) beneath Yucca Flat area 7 at 19:15 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons, causing a 4.7 magnitude ground shock. 33rd British test. Coordinates: 37.07456, -116.00003.
1985 - ‘Hero’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,300 feet (700m) beneath Rim zone, Areas 1-2, Zoe-6, Mururoa Atoll: at 17:50 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.47 magnitude ground shock. 156th French detonation. Coordinates:
1989 - ‘Hypsipyle’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Lagoon, Areas 5-7, Hippocampe-6, Mururoa Atoll at 16:30 GMT with a yield of 24 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.34 magnitude ground shock. 188th French test. Coordinates: -21.85566, -138.95046.
1990 - ‘975’, ‘976’, ‘977’, ‘978’, ‘979’, ‘980’, ‘981’, and ‘982’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel 2,000 feet (600m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 14:57 GMT with a combined yield of 70 kilotons from the eight weapons development devices, causing a 5.7 magnitude ground shock. 715th and final Russian test. Coordinates: 73.331, 54.757.
OCTOBER 25TH
U.S. tests: 2 (3 devices)
Russian tests: 6 (9 devices)
French tests: 1
Total yield: 631.55. kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Joe-72’ detonated 4,800 feet (1,500m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya, at 08:20 GMT with a yield of 190 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 80th Russian test. Coordinates: 74, 55.
1958 - ‘86’ detonated 980 feet (300m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at an unspecified time with a yield of 50 tons from the fundamental science device after being air-dropped. 81st Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1961 - ‘129’ detonated 4,760 feet (1,450m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 08:31 GMT with a yield of 300 kilotons from the weapons development device. 124th Russian test. Coordinates 73.75, 54.3.
:
1961 - ‘130’ detonated 1,600 feet (500m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 500 tons from the fundamental science device after being air-dropped. 125th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8
1964 - ‘236’ detonated in a tunnel 1,300 feet (400m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 07:59 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the peaceful purpose device, causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock and venting 1,000,000 curies of radiation. 229th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.387, 54.985.
1967 - ‘Sazerac’ and 'Cognac’ detonated simultaneously in separate vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 14:30 GMT with the indicated yields from the two LANL weapons development devices during Operation Crosstie. creating a 524 foot (160m) diameter subsidence crater. 519th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0316, -116.02709.
'Sazerac’ - Emplacement depth: 988 feet (301m), Yield: 9 kilotons, Created 524 foot (160m) diameter subsidence crater. Vented Iodine-131 during drillback operations. Coordinates: 37.0316, -116.02709.
'Cognac’ - Emplacement depth: 788 feet (240m), Yield: <20 kilotons, Vented Iodine-131 over a period of three days from a surface cable pull. Coordinates: 37.04975, -116.04044.
1967 - 'Worth' detonated in a vertical shaft 646 feet (197m) beneath Yucca Flat area 10 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Crosstie, venting Xenon from a ventilation line during drillback operations. 520th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.15629, -116.04946.
1984 - ‘859’, 860’, ‘861’, and ‘862’ detonated simultaneously in a tunnel 1,600 feet (500m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 06:29 GMT with at combined yield of 110 kilotons from the four weapons development devices, causing a 5.82 magnitude ground shock and venting 1,100,000 curies of radioactivity. 651st Russian test. Coordinates: 73.355, 54.99.
1984 - 'Unnumbered #10' was emplaced in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site but not detonated for unknown reasons. Does not count as a test. Device was abandoned. Coordinates: 49.79, 78.109.
1988 - ‘Acrisios’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Lagoon, Areas 5-7, Pieuvre 4, Mururoa Atoll at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 2 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.37 magnitude ground shock. 180th French test. Coordinates: -21.83464, -138.87541.
OCTOBER 26TH
U.S. tests: 6
Russian tests: 3
British tests: 1
French tests: 1
Total yield: 593.9007. kilotons
The Details:
1953 - ‘T2’ detonated atop a 102 foot (31m) tower on Emu Field, South Australia at 21:30 GMT with a yield of 8 kilotons from the weapons development device during Operation Totem. 3rd British test. Coordinates: -28.7122, 132.3773 .
Side Note: Two "Kitten" neutron initiator tests were conducted prior to 'T2', contaminating the test areas with beryllium and Polonium-210.
The yield of 'T2' was predicted to be 2-3 kilotons but resulted in 8 kilotons. In November, the Emu Field site was abandoned, left contaminated with radioactive materials.
1954 - ‘Joe-13' detonated 360 feet (110m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 2.8 kilotons from the weapons development device. 17th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1958 - ‘Ceres’ detonated atop a 33 foot (10m) tower on Yucca Flat area 8 at 04:00 GMT with a yield of 700 kilograms from the LLNL XW-48 artillery shell as part of a one-point safety test during Operation Hardtack II. 184th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1814, -116.0691.
1958 - ‘Sanford’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,510 feet (460m) above Frenchman Flat area 5 at 10:20 GMT with a yield of 4.9 kilotons from the LLNL W-47 "Canary" primary device during Operation Hardtack II, spewing 700,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere.. 185th U.S. test. Coordinates: 36.798, -115.9298.
1958 - ‘De Baca’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,510 feet (460m) above Yucca Flat area7 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 2.2 kilotons from the LANL XW-54 "Gnat" device during Operation Hardtack II, spewing 380,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 186th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0866, -116.0245.
Side Note: The XW-54 device underwent more tests (at least 18) than any preceding US nuclear weapon prior to its successful introduction in service, indicating the difficulty of making this small and low-yield design work reliably and safely. Four variants of the XW-54 were developed:
Mk-54 (Davy Crockett) – 10 or 20 tons yield
B54 (Special Atomic Demolition Munition -SADM): – approximate yield from 10 tons to 1 kiloton
W-54 – Warhead for AIM-26 Falcon air-to-air missile, 250-ton yield
AGM-62 Walleye - Air to ground missile, 600 ton yield.
1962 - ‘Bluegill Triple Prime’ detonated atop a Thor missile 30 miles (48km) above the Pacific Ocean 22 miles 36km) southwest of Johnston Island at 08:59 GMT with a yield of 400 kilotons from the LANL W-50 warhead as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Fishbowl. 289th U.S. test.
Launch coordinates: 16.73365, -169.52534.
Detonation coordinates: 16.41583, -169.60311.
Side Note: This was the fourth attempt of this test; the first three failed when the Thor missile was lost by radar and was destroyed ('Bluegill'), blew up on the launch pad ('Bluegill Prime') or went off course and was destroyed ('Bluegill Double Prime').
1963 - ‘Shoal’ detonated in a tunnel at the bottom of a vertical shaft 1,210 feet (370m) beneath Fallon, Nevada at 17:00 GMT with a yield of 12 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a Vela Uniform nuclear test detection test during Operation Niblick, causing a 4.9 magnitude ground shock and venting 110 curies of Iodine-131 during drillback operations. 343rd U.S. detonation. Coordinates: 39.20012, -118.38124.
1973 - ‘439’ detonated in a tunnel beneath Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 04:27 with a yield of 15 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test, causing a 5.23 magnitude ground shock. 391st Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7469, 78.132.
1973 - ‘Kama' detonated in a vertical shaft 6,660 feet (2,030m) beneath Bashkortostan, Russia at 05:59 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons as part of an cavity formation test for the disposal of oil and chemical waste. 392nd Russian test. Coordinates: 53.65, 55.4.
1977 - ‘Bobstay’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,251 feet (381m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 14:15 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device, causing a 4.4 magnitude ground shock and creating a 557 foot (170m) subsidence crater. 822nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.00759, -116.01741.
1983 - ‘823’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,080 feet (330m) beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk test site at 01:55 GMT with a yield of 114 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 6.04 magnitude ground shock. 626th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.91386, 78.82366.
1985 - ‘Codros’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath the Lagoon, Areas 5-7, Mururoa Atoll at 16:35 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.25 magnitude ground shock. 157th French test. Coordinates: -21.83957, -138.89405.
OCTOBER 27TH
U.S. tests: 3
Russian tests: 10
French tests: 1
Chinese tests: 2
Total yield: 6,657.3006 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Chavez’ detonated atop a 52 foot (16m) tower on Yucca Flat area 3 at 14:20 with a yield of with a yield of 60 kilograms as part of a one-point safety test of the LANL X54 "Gnat" device during Operation Hardtack II, dumping 100 curies of radiation into the area. Test failed as more than 2 kilograms of yield was produced. 187th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0443, -116.0305.
Side Note: The United States has a “one-point safety” standard for all of its nuclear weapons. This standard means that the probability of achieving a nuclear yield greater than four pounds (two kilograms) must not exceed one in a million for any event involving the initiation of the warhead’s high explosive at a single point on its periphery.
1961 -‘ Korall’ (Joe 110) ) detonated 3.3 feet (1m) above Chyornaya Guba (Bay), Area A, Novaya Zemlya at 08:30 GMT with a yield of 16 kilotons as part of a weapons effects test of an RDS-9 torpedo. 126th Russian test.
Side Note: The target was a barge in Chyornaya Guba (Bay). The RDS-9 torpedo was fired from submarine B–130 in Chornaya Bay, ran underwater for 6.8 miles (11km), then broached the water and exploded just above the target.
1961 - ‘K2’ detonated atop a rocket 110 miles (180km) above Karagandy, Kazakhstan at an unspecified time with a yield of 1.2 kilotons after being launched from Kapustin Yar, Astrakhan as part of a Project-K weapons effects test. 127th Russian test.
Launch coordinates: 48.56956, 45.90346.
Detonation Coordinates: 46.408, 72.237.
Side Note: First Russian space test. Determine electromagnetic pulse effects as an anti-ballistic missile.
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1961 - ‘K1’ detonated atop a rocket 190 miles (300km) above Karagandy, Kazakhstan at an unspecified time with a yield of 1.2 kilotons after being launched from Kapustin Yar, Astrakhan as part of a Project-K weapons effects test. 128th Russian test.
Launch coordinates: 48.56956, 45.90346
Detonation coordinates: 46.7, 69.6.
1962 - ‘Santee’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,048 feet (319m) beneath Yucca Flat area 10 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 5 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device, creating a 393 foot (120m) diameter subsidence crater and venting 4,000 curies of Xenon for a period of 15 hours during drillback operations. 290th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.14926, -116.05437.
1962 -‘Calamity’ detonated 11.780 feet (3,590m) above the Pacific Ocean (164 miles 265km) southeast of Johnston Island at 15.46 GMT with a yield of 800 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Dominic after being air-dropped. 291st U.S. test. Coordinates: 14.6, -168.4.
1962 - ‘192’ detonated 5.090 feet (1,550m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 07:35 GMT with a yield of 260 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped.. 185th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1966 - 'CHIC-4' detonated 1,867 feet (569m) over Area D (Drop Area), Lop Nur, China atop a Dongfeng-2 medium range ballistic missile at 01:10 GMT with a yield of 12 kilotons after being launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China. 4th Chinese test.
Launch coordinates: 41.30782, 100.31528.
Detonation coordinates: 41.5, 88.5.
1966 - ‘265’ detonated in a tunnel 2.300 feet (700m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 05:57 GMT ,with a yield of 700 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 6.49 magnitude ground shock and venting 10 million curies of radiation. 257th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.387, 54.836.
1966 - ‘266’ detonated in an adjacent tunnel 2,300 feet (700m) beneath Area B, Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 700 kilotons from the weapons development device with a 6.5 magnitude ground shock and venting 10 million curies of radiation. 258th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.4, 54.8.
1973 -‘441’ detonated in a vertical shaft 6,200 feet (1,900m) beneath Area A, Chyornaya Guba, Novaya Zemlya at 07:00 GMT with a yield of 4,000 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 6.98 magnitude ground shock. 392nd Russian test. Coordinates: 70.84, 54.05.
Side Note: This was the highest yield shaft test conducted by Russia.
1975 - 'CHIC-17' detonated in a tunnel within Bei Shan (North Mountain), Area B (Qinggir), Lop Nur, China at 00:59 GMT with a yield of 2.5 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 17th Chinese test. Coordinates: 41.375, 88.326.
1984 - ‘Machaon’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Rim zone, Areas 1-2, Fuschia-4, Mururoa Atoll, French Polynesia at 17:16 GMT with a yield of 3 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 4.54 magnitude ground shock. 148th French test. Coordinates: -21.87394, -138.93358.
1984 - ‘864’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 01:50 GMT with a yield of 150 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 6.19 magnitude ground shock. . 652nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.93693, 78.9346.
1984 - ‘Vega-14' detonated in a vertical shaft 2,790 ft (850 m) beneath Astrakhan, Russia at 06:00 GMT with a yield of 3.2 kilotons as part of a cavity formation test for the storage of natural gas, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock. 653rd Russian test. Coordinates: 46.9, 48.15.
--Five minutes later at 06:05 GMT, ‘Vega-15' detonated 3,120 feet (950m) deep in an adjacent shaft with a yield of 3.2 kilotons, causing a 5.5 magnitude ground shock. 654th Russian test. Coordinates: 46.95, 48.1.
OCTOBER 28TH
U.S. tests: 4 (6 devices)
Russian tests: 4 (5 devices)
Total yield: 1,467.1 kilotons
The Details:
1951 - ‘Baker’ detonated 1,120 feet (340m) above Yucca Flat area 7 at 15:20 GMT with a yield of 3.5 kilotons from the LANL Mk-4 weapons development device after being air-dropped during Operation Buster, spewing 600,000 curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 19th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.085, -116.0209
1962 - ‘193’ detonated 2,200 feet (670m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 7.8 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 186th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1962 - ‘K4’ detonated atop a missile 93 miles (150km) above Karagandy, Kazakhstan at an unspecified time with a yield of 300 kilotons after being launched from Kapustin Yar, Astrakhan as part of a weapons effects test studying the effects of EMP. 187th Russian test.
Launch coordinates: 48.56956, 45.90346.
Detonation coordinates: 46.72983, 71.56304.
1962 - '195’ detonated 2,116 feet (645m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with a yield of 7.8 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 188th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1970 - ‘Truchas-Chacon’, ‘Truchas-Chamisal’, and ‘Truchas-Rodarte’ detonated simultaneously in three separate adjacent vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 14:30 GMT during Operation Emery. 658th U.S. test.
‘Truchas-Chacon’ - Safety test, Emplacement depth: 388 feet (118m), Yield: Unknown, Coordinates: 37.01401, -116.01867.
‘Truchas-Chamisal’ - Safety test, Emplacement depth: 388 feet (118m), Yield: Unknown, Vented 3 curies of Xenon from surface ground zero cables, Coordinates: 37.01398, -116.01799.
‘Truchas-Rodarte’ - Weapons development, Emplacement depth: Unspecified, Yield: 8 kilotons, Subsidence crater: 492 feet (150m) diameter, Coordinates: 37.01479, -116.02007.
1974 - ‘Hybla Fair’ detonated in a tunnel 1,327 feet (404m) beneath Rainier Mesa area 12 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the LLNL device as part of a weapons effects test during Operation Bedrock, venting 500 curies of Xenon when tunnel stemming failed . 761st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.20108, -116.20482.
Side Note: Test of a new line-of-sight pipe configuration for tunnel testing.. The configuration proved to be inadequate for effects testing of warheads.
1975 - ‘Kasseri’ detonated 4,150 feet (1,200m) beneath Pahute Mesa area 20 at 14:30 GMT with a yield of 1,000 kilotons from the LLNL W-82 weapons development device during Operation Anvil, causing a 6.48 magnitude ground shock and venting unknown quantities of Xenon during drillback operations. 782nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.29, -116.41244.
1979 - ‘669’ and '670' detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:16 GMT with a combined yield of 120 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.98 magnitude ground shock. 538th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.99759, 78.9945.
OCTOBER 29TH
U.S. tests: 8 (11 devices)
Russian tests: 6 (7 devices)
Total yield: 579.4798 kilotons
The Details:
1958 - ‘Evans’ detonated in a tunnel 840 feet (256m) beneath Rainier Mesa area 12 at 00:00 GMT with a yield of 55 tons from the LLNL XW-47 primary device during Operation Hardtack II, venting unknown quantities of radiation from the full-yield test which fizzled. 188th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.19477, -116.20563.
1958 - ‘Mazama’ detonated atop a 49 foot (15m) tower on Yucca Flat area 9 at 11:20 GMT with no yield from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Hardtack II, an obvious fizzle. 189th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12648, -116.04196.
1958 - ‘Humbolt’ detonated atop a 33 foot (10m) tower on Yucca Flat area 3 at 14:45 GMT with a yield of 7.8 tons from the LLNL XW-51 weapons development device during Operation Hardtack II, an obvious fizzle. 190th U.S. test.
1961 - ‘Mink' detonated in a vertical shaft 630 feet (255m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 18:30 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Nougat, venting 500 curies of Iodine-131 immediately following detonation and during drillback operations. 198th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04851, -116.03195.
Side Note: 'Mink' was the first underground detonation at NTS to create a subsidence crater, but collapse of surface ground zero did not occur until several years after detonation.
1962 - ‘196’ detonated 5,090 feet (1,550m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 07:35 GMT with a yield of 360 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 189th Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1965 - ‘Long Shot’ detonated in a vertical shaft 2,300 feet (700m) beneath Amchitka Island, Alaska at 21:00 GMT with a yield of 80 kilotons from the LANL device as part of a Vela Uniform nuclear detonation detection test during Operation Flintlock, causing a 6.1 magnitude ground shock. 430th U.S. test. Coordinates: 51.43709, 179.18032.
1966 - ‘267’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:58 GMT with an unknown yield from the weapons development device. 259th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.78424, 78.00541.
1968 - ‘Hula’ detonated in a vertical shaft 651 feet (198m) beneath Yucca Flat at 15:36 GMT with a yield of 250 tons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, causing a 3.49 magnitude ground shock and venting 7 curies of Xenon from test cables following detonation and during drillback operations. 568th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.11321, -116.0418.
1968 - ‘309’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:54 GMT with an unknown yield from the weapons development device. 292nd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.82957, 78.0906.
1969 - ‘Cruet’ detonated in a vertical shaft 865 feet (263m) beneath Yucca Flat area 2 at 19:30 GMT with a yield of 11 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Mandrel , causing a 5.1 magnitude ground shock and creating a 249 foot (76m) diameter subsidence crater. 616th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.12138, -116.12829.
1969 - ‘Pod-A’, ‘Pod-B’, ‘Pod-C’ and ‘Pod-D’ detonated simultaneously in separate adjacent vertical shafts beneath Yucca Flat area 2 at 20:00 GMT with a combined yield of 16.7 kilotons from the four LLNL weapons development devices during Operation Mandrel, causing a 5.0 magnitude ground shock and venting 3,900 curies of Iodine, Xenon and Cesium from 'Pod-D' surface ground zero for a period of 9 hours. 617th U.S. test.
'Pod-A' - Emplacement depth: 875 feet (266m), Coordinates: 37.14015, -116.13136.
'Pod-B' - Emplacement depth: 875 feet (266m), Coordinates: 37.1404, -116.1427.
'Pod-C' - Emplacement depth: 875 feet (266m), Coordinates: 37.13628, -116.14083.
'Pod-D' - Emplacement depth: 1,024 feet (312m), Coordinates: 37.13532, -116.13694.
1975 - ‘504 detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 04:46 GMT with a yield of 36 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.61 magnitude ground shock. 433rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.95389, 78.87389.
1977 - ‘557’ and '558' detonated simultaneously in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:06 GMT with a combined yield of 42 kilotons from the two weapons development devices, causing a 5.6 magnitude ground shock. 473rd Russian test. Coordinates: 49.8265, 78.0801.
1977 - ‘559’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Balapan, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 03:07 GMT with a yield of 50 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.56 magnitude ground shock. 474th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.04851, 78.98633.
OCTOBER 30TH
U.S. tests: 7
Russian tests: 8 (Including the largest hydrogen bomb ever detonated.)
French tests: 1
Total yield: 58,664.8 kilotons.
The Details:
1951 - ‘Charlie’ detonated 1,150 feet (350m) above Yucca Flat area 7 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 14 kilotons from the LANL MK-4 device after being air-dropped by a B-50 bomber during Operation Buster, releasing 2 million curies of Iodine-131 into the atmosphere. 18th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.085, -116.0211.
1954 - ‘Joe-14' detonated 180 feet (55m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at 04:00 GMT with a yield of 10 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped, but with a very low height of burst.. 18th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.416, 77.74.
1958 - 'Adams' was scheduled to be emplaced and detonated on the dry surface of Yucca Flat area 1 but was cancelled by atmospheric conditions that would have shattered windows in Las Vegas, 65 miles southeast and could not be rescheduled during Hardtack II before start of a test moratorium. Does not count as a test. Coordinates: 37.044, -116.068.
1958 - ‘Santa Fe’ detonated beneath a tethered balloon 1,510 feet (450m) above Yucca Flat area 7 at 03:00 GMT with a yield of 1.3 kilotons from the LANL XW-54 device during Operation Hardtack II, releasing 220,000 curies of Iodine into the atmosphere. Yield was below that expected. 191st U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.0866, -116.0245.
1958 - ‘Ganymede’ detonated in a containment structure on the surface of Yucca Flat area 9 at 11:00 GMT with ZERO yield as part of a one point safety test of the LANL W45 "Swan" device. 192rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.123, -116.035.
1958 - ‘Blanca’ detonated in a tunnel 835 feet (254m) beneath Rainier Mesa area12 at 15:00 GMT with a yield of 22 kilotons from the LLNL alternate XW-47 "Canary" thermonuclear primary during Operation hardtack II, venting 500 curies to the atmosphere through the side of the mesa. 193rd U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.18589, -116.20289.
1958 - ‘Titania’ detonated atop a 33 foot (10m) tower on Yucca Flat area 8 at 20:34 GMT with a yield of 200 kilograms from the LLNL original XW-47 "Canary" device as part of a one-point safety test which was declared safe in spite of the higher than allowed yield. 194th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.1773, -116.0699
1961 - ‘134’ detonated 1,540 feet (470m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Ste at an unspecified time with a yield of 90 tons from the weapons development device. 129th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1961 - 'Joe-111' (Tsar Bomb) detonated 13,000 feet (3,500m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 08:33 GMT with a yield of 50 megatons from the 3-stage (Fission-Fusion-Fission) RDS-220 thermonuclear device after being parachute dropped by a heavily modified Tu-95 Bear bomber. 130th Russian test. Coordinates: 73.85, 54.5.
Side Note: 'Tsar Bomb' was the largest yield device ever detonated. It was also the cleanest weapon ever tested; 97% of its yield came from fusion. The design yield of the Tsar Bomb was 100 megatons but the yield was cut in half by using a lead tamper rather than one made of uranium-238 (depleted uranium). Only one RDS-220 was built.
1962 - ‘Housatonic’ detonated 12,100 feet (3,700m) above the Pacific Ocean 276 miles (445km) southwest of Johnston Island with a yield of 8,300 kilotons from the LLNL "Ripple II" device after being air-dropped during Operation Dominic I. 292nd U.S. test. Coordinates: 13.7, -172.2.
Side Note: 'Housatonic’ was the last air-dropped nuclear weapon test conducted by the U.S. It was a repeat of the failed 'Androscoggin' test on October 2 and was spectacularly successful, resulting in the highest yield of the Dominic test series.
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1962 - ‘197’ detonated on the dry surface of Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site at at an unspecified time with a yield of 1.2 kilotons. 190th Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1962 - ‘198' detonated 4.900 feet (1,500m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at an unspecified time with a yield of 280 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 191st Russian test. Coordinates: 73, 55.
1967 - ‘292’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at at 06"04 GMT with a yield of 25 kilotons from the weapons development device. 277th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.7944, 78.0079.
1969 - ‘336’ detonated in a tunnel within Degelen Mountain, Semipalatinsk Test Site at an unspecified time with an unknown yield as part of a safety test. 310th Russian test. Coordinates: 49.83878, 78.11945.
1976 - ‘Ulysse A’ detonated beneath Rim zone, Areas 1-2, Dahlia-1, Mururoa Atoll, French Polynesia at 22:59 GMT with a yield of 1 kiloton from the weapons development device. 69th French test. Coordinates: -21.87442, -138.86477.
1977 - ‘Galit' detonated in a vertical shaft 2,000 (600m) beneath Atyrau, Kazakhstan at 06:59 with a yield of 100 tons as part of a cavity formation for storage of natural gas. 475th Russian test. Coordinates: 47.909, 47.912.
1985 -‘Abo’ detonated in a vertical shaft 644 feet (196m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 16:00 GMT with a yield of 10 tons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Charioteer, venting 30 curies of Iodine and Xenon from a mud line during drillback operations. 972nd U.S. test Coordinates: 37.05057, -116.03687 .
OCTOBER 31ST
U.S. tests: 4 (5 devices)
Russian tests: 3
French tests: 1
Total Yield: 15,837 kilotons.
The Details:
1952 - 'Mike' detonated 26 feet (8m) above the dry surface of Elugelab (Flora) Island, Enewetak Atoll, Pacific Ocean at 19:14 GMT with a yield of 10,400 kilotons from the LANL "Sausage" thermonuclear experimental device, obliterating Elugab Island, leaving a 6,240 foot (1.9km) wide and 164 foot (50m) deep crater in Enewetak Atoll. 31st U.S. test. Coordinates: 11.66573, 162.18928.
Side Note: 'Mike' was intended to prove the Teller-Ulam thermonuclear design in a full-scale test of the two-stage cryogenic device. It worked but was so big it could not delivered.
One USAF pilot was killed after flying through the mushroom cloud to gather air samples. The radiation disrupted aircraft instruments and the plane crashed in the ocean and it was never found.
1961 - ‘136’ detonated 7,200 feet (2,200m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 08:29 GMT with a yield of 5,000 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 131st Russian test. Coordinates: 73.53, 58.92.
1961 - ‘137’ detonated 5,020 feet (1,530m) above Area C, Sukhoy Nos, Novaya Zemlya at 08:38 GMT with a yield of 400 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped 132nd Russian test. Coordinates 74.6, 59.4.:
1962 - ‘199 detonated 2,260 feet (690m) above Ground Zero, Semipalatinsk Test Site with a yield of 10 kilotons from the weapons development device after being air-dropped. 192nd Russian test. Coordinates: 50.4, 77.8.
1964 -’Forest’ detonated in a vertical shaft 1,249 feet (380m) beneath Yucca Flat area 7 at 17:04 GMT with a yield of <20 kilotons from the LLNL weapons development device during Operation Whetstone, venting 5 curies of Iodine and Xenon for 7 hours during drillback operations. 389th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.10717, -116.03312.
1968 - ‘Bit-A’ and ‘Bit-B’ detonated simultaneously in the same vertical shaft beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 18:30 GMT with indicated yields as part of safety tests of the two LANL devices during Operation Bowline. 569th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.04701, -116.03021 .
'Bit-A' - Emplacement depth: 486 feet (148m), Yield: <20 kilotons
'Bit-B' - Emplacement depth: 387 feet (117m), Yield: <20 kilotons
1968 - ‘File’ detonated in a vertical shaft 751 feet (228m) beneath Yucca Flat area 3 at 18:30 GMT with a yield of 7 kilotons from the LANL weapons development device during Operation Bowline, creating a 459 foot (140m) diameter subsidence crater. 570th U.S. test. Coordinates: 37.01708, -116.03649.
1989 - ‘Erigone’ detonated in a vertical shaft beneath Lagoon, Areas 5-7, Orque-1, Mururoa Atoll, French Polynesia at 16:57 GMT with a yield of 20 kilotons from the weapons development device, causing a 5.28 magnitude ground shock. 189th French test. Coordinates: -21.85242, -138.88442.
