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Operation Mandrel

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Operation Mandrel
Mandrel Mirlow, 1Mt.
Information
CountryUnited States
Test site
  • Amchitka Island, Alaska
  • near Parachute, Colorado
  • NTS Area 12, Rainier Mesa
  • NTS Area 16, Shoshone Mountain
  • NTS Area 19, 20, Pahute Mesa
  • NTS Areas 5, 11, Frenchman Flat
  • NTS, Areas 1–4, 6–10, Yucca Flat
Period1969–1970
Number of tests52
Test typeunderground shaft, tunnel
Max. yield1.9megatonnes of TNT(7.9 PJ)
Test series chronology

TheUnited States's Mandrel nuclear test series[1]was a group of 52nuclear testsconducted in 1969–1970. These tests[note 1]followed theOperation Bowlineseries and preceded theOperation Emeryseries.

United States' Mandrel series tests and detonations
Name[note 2] Date time (UT) Localtime zone[note 3][3] Location[note 4] Elevation+ height[note 5] Delivery[note 6]
Purpose[note 7]
Device[note 8] Yield[note 9] Fallout[note 10] References Notes
Ildrim July 16, 196913:02:30.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTSArea U2au37°07′10″N116°03′22″W/ 37.11939°N 116.05599°W/37.11939; -116.05599(Ildrim) 1,256 m (4,121 ft) – 410.26 m (1,346.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt [1][4][5][6][7]
Hutch July 16, 196914:55:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTSArea U2df37°08′22″N116°05′18″W/ 37.13953°N 116.08822°W/37.13953; -116.08822(Hutch) 1,300 m (4,300 ft) – 548.64 m (1,800.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
120 kt Venting detected, 1.1 kCi (41 TBq) [1][5][6][7][8][9]
Spider- 1 August 14, 196914:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTSArea U2bp137°09′37″N116°03′52″W/ 37.1602°N 116.06448°W/37.1602; -116.06448(Spider - 1) 1,292 m (4,239 ft) – 207.26 m (680.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
1 kt Venting detected, 2 Ci (74 GBq) [1][5][6][7][8][9] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Spider- 2 August 14, 196914:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTSArea U2bp237°09′30″N116°03′53″W/ 37.1582°N 116.06467°W/37.1582; -116.06467(Spider - 2) 1,291 m (4,236 ft) – 213 m (699 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
1 kt [1][6][7][8] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Horehound August 27, 196913:45:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTSArea U3gm36°59′34″N115°59′47″W/ 36.99267°N 115.99637°W/36.99267; -115.99637(Horehound) 1,174 m (3,852 ft) – 331.83 m (1,088.7 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1][6][7]
Pliers August 27, 196913:45:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTSArea U3gn37°01′17″N116°02′20″W/ 37.02146°N 116.03884°W/37.02146; -116.03884(Pliers) 1,187 m (3,894 ft) – 238.87 m (783.7 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
10 kt Venting detected on site [1][5][6][7][8][9]
Rulison September 10, 196921:00:00.01 MST (–7 hrs)
near Parachute, Colorado39°24′19″N107°56′55″W/ 39.40535°N 107.94857°W/39.40535; -107.94857(Rulison) 2,498 m (8,196 ft) – 2,570 m (8,430 ft) underground shaft,
peaceful research
40 kt Venting detected off site [1][7][9] Plowshare– gas stimulation experiment.
Minute Steak September 12, 196918:02:20.42 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U11f36°52′38″N115°55′46″W/ 36.87718°N 115.92936°W/36.87718; -115.92936(Minute Steak) 1,007 m (3,304 ft) – 264.26 m (867.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapon effect
5 kt Venting detected on site, 8.4 kCi (310 TBq) [1][5][6][7][8][9]
Jorum September 16, 196914:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U20e -37°18′51″N116°27′42″W/ 37.31408°N 116.46156°W/37.31408; -116.46156(Jorum) 1,898 m (6,227 ft) – 1,158.24 m (3,800.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
800 kt [1][4][6][7][10]
Kyack- 1 September 20, 196914:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2bq137°09′31″N116°04′07″W/ 37.15874°N 116.06863°W/37.15874; -116.06863(Kyack - 1) 1,296 m (4,252 ft) – 192.02 m (630.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
800 t Venting detected on site [1][4][6][7][8][11] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Kyack- 2 September 20, 196914:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2bq237°09′26″N116°04′00″W/ 37.15729°N 116.06677°W/37.15729; -116.06677(Kyack - 2) 1,293 m (4,242 ft) – 192 m (630 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
1 kt Venting detected on site, 510 Ci (19,000 GBq) [1][6][7][8][9][11] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Seaweed- 1 October 1, 196914:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3hk337°00′41″N115°59′58″W/ 37.01141°N 115.99935°W/37.01141; -115.99935(Seaweed - 1) 1,184 m (3,885 ft) – 118.43 m (388.5 ft) underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 kt Venting detected on site, 0.00000005 Ci (1.9×10−6GBq) [1][6][7][8] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Seaweed- 2 October 1, 196914:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3hkf37°00′38″N116°00′01″W/ 37.01048°N 116.0003°W/37.01048; -116.0003(Seaweed - 2) 1,183 m (3,881 ft) – 118 m (387 ft) underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 kt Venting detected on site [1][6][7][8][9] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Seaweed- 3 October 1, 196914:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3hkc37°00′49″N115°59′58″W/ 37.01371°N 115.99935°W/37.01371; -115.99935(Seaweed - 3) 1,184 m (3,885 ft) + underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 kt Venting detected on site [1][6][7][8] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Milrow October 2, 196922:06:00.04 BST (–11 hrs)
Amchitka Island, Alaska51°24′57″N179°10′46″E/ 51.41572°N 179.17939°E/51.41572; 179.17939(Milrow) 40 m (130 ft) – 1,220 m (4,000 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
1 Mt [1][5][7] Calibration forGrommet Cannikintest. Was initially named "Ganja", until someone in the DoE got wise to it.
Pipkin October 8, 196914:30:00.14 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U20b37°15′24″N116°26′30″W/ 37.25667°N 116.44164°W/37.25667; -116.44164(Pipkin) 1,965 m (6,447 ft) – 624.84 m (2,050.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
200 kt Venting detected, 6 Ci (220 GBq) [1][4][5][6][7][8]
Seaweed B October 16, 196914:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3hkd37°00′45″N115°59′56″W/ 37.01255°N 115.99901°W/37.01255; -115.99901(Seaweed B) 1,185 m (3,888 ft) – 118.55 m (388.9 ft) underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 kt Venting detected on site, 0.0000002 Ci (7.4×10−6GBq) [1][6][7][8]
Cruet October 29, 196919:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2cn37°07′17″N116°07′42″W/ 37.12138°N 116.12829°W/37.12138; -116.12829(Cruet) 1,372 m (4,501 ft) – 263.65 m (865.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
11 kt [1][5][6][7]
Pod- 1 October 29, 196920:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2ch37°08′25″N116°07′53″W/ 37.14015°N 116.13136°W/37.14015; -116.13136(Pod - 1) 1,397 m (4,583 ft) – 266.7 m (875 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
16.7 kt Venting detected on site, 3.9 kCi (140 TBq) [1][6][7][8][9] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Pod- 2 October 29, 196920:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2ci37°08′25″N116°08′34″W/ 37.1404°N 116.1427°W/37.1404; -116.1427(Pod - 2) 1,464 m (4,803 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
16.7 kt Venting detected on site [1][6][7][8] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Pod- 3 October 29, 196920:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dj37°08′11″N116°08′27″W/ 37.13628°N 116.14083°W/37.13628; -116.14083(Pod - 3) 1,448 m (4,751 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
16.7 kt Venting detected on site [1][6][7][8] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Pod- 4 October 29, 196920:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2ck37°08′07″N116°08′13″W/ 37.13532°N 116.13694°W/37.13532; -116.13694(Pod - 4) 1,424 m (4,672 ft) – 312 m (1,024 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
16.7 kt Venting detected on site [1][6][7][8][9] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Calabash October 29, 196922:01:51.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2av37°08′36″N116°03′54″W/ 37.14326°N 116.06501°W/37.14326; -116.06501(Calabash) 1,283 m (4,209 ft) – 624.84 m (2,050.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
110 kt [1][5][6][7][10]
Scuttle November 13, 196915:15:00.13 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2bh37°09′53″N116°04′33″W/ 37.16462°N 116.07576°W/37.16462; -116.07576(Scuttle) 1,312 m (4,304 ft) – 164.59 m (540.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
1.7 kt Venting detected, 210 Ci (7,800 GBq) [1][6][7][8][9]
Piccalilli November 21, 196914:52:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3fc37°01′52″N116°00′10″W/ 37.03118°N 116.00276°W/37.03118; -116.00276(Piccalilli) 1,195 m (3,921 ft) – 393.8 m (1,292 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
22 kt [1][5][6][7][10]
Planer November 21, 196914:52:00.08 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3ei37°00′53″N116°01′24″W/ 37.01481°N 116.02347°W/37.01481; -116.02347(Planer) 1,183 m (3,881 ft) – 377.84 m (1,239.6 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt [1][6][7][10]
Diesel Train December 5, 196917:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U12e.1137°10′48″N116°12′42″W/ 37.17992°N 116.21174°W/37.17992; -116.21174(Diesel Train) 2,207 m (7,241 ft) – 419.15 m (1,375.2 ft) tunnel,
weapon effect
20 kt [1][4][6][7][10]
Culantro- 1 December 10, 196915:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3hia37°00′53″N116°00′13″W/ 37.01469°N 116.00362°W/37.01469; -116.00362(Culantro - 1) 1,181 m (3,875 ft) – 134.13 m (440.1 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Culantro- 2 December 10, 196915:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3hib37°00′54″N116°00′07″W/ 37.01489°N 116.0019°W/37.01489; -116.0019(Culantro - 2) 1,182 m (3,878 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Tun- 1 December 10, 196915:30:00.07 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U10am137°10′04″N116°04′49″W/ 37.16771°N 116.08023°W/37.16771; -116.08023(Tun - 1) 1,323 m (4,341 ft) – 193.55 m (635.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
2.5 kt Venting detected on site [1][4][6][7][8][11] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Tun- 2 December 10, 196915:30:00.07 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U10am237°10′10″N116°04′49″W/ 37.16945°N 116.08019°W/37.16945; -116.08019(Tun - 2) 1,324 m (4,344 ft) – 194 m (636 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
2 kt Venting detected on site, 72 Ci (2,700 GBq) [1][6][7][8][9][11] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Tun- 3 December 10, 196915:30:00.07 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U10am337°10′04″N116°04′41″W/ 37.16769°N 116.07797°W/37.16769; -116.07797(Tun - 3) 1,319 m (4,327 ft) – 194 m (636 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
2 kt Venting detected on site [1][6][7][8][9][11] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Tun- 4 December 10, 196915:30:00.07 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U10am437°10′10″N116°04′41″W/ 37.16947°N 116.07796°W/37.16947; -116.07796(Tun - 4) 1,320 m (4,330 ft) – 256 m (840 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
3 kt Venting detected on site [1][6][7][8][9][11] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Grape A December 17, 196915:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U7s37°05′00″N116°00′10″W/ 37.08333°N 116.00266°W/37.08333; -116.00266(Grape A) 1,274 m (4,180 ft) – 550.67 m (1,806.7 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
89 kt [1][5][6][7][10]
Lovage December 17, 196915:15:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3fe37°00′24″N116°01′25″W/ 37.00661°N 116.02356°W/37.00661; -116.02356(Lovage) 1,181 m (3,875 ft) – 378.05 m (1,240.3 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
16 kt [1][5][6][7][10]
Terrine-White- 1 December 18, 196919:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9bi137°07′14″N116°02′08″W/ 37.12044°N 116.03551°W/37.12044; -116.03551(Terrine-White - 1) 1,264 m (4,147 ft) – 461.77 m (1,515.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
38 kt Venting detected, 48 Ci (1,800 GBq) [1][6][7][8][9][10] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Terrine-Yellow- 2 December 18, 196919:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9bi237°07′14″N116°01′47″W/ 37.12044°N 116.0297°W/37.12044; -116.0297(Terrine-Yellow - 2) 1,277 m (4,190 ft) – 417 m (1,368 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
unknown yield Venting detected [1][6][7][8][9] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Fob-Blue- 3 January 23, 197016:30:00.21 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9iy2737°08′26″N116°02′01″W/ 37.14063°N 116.03351°W/37.14063; -116.03351(Fob-Blue - 3) 1,273 m (4,177 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Fob-Green- 1 January 23, 197016:30:00.21 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9iv2737°08′26″N116°02′16″W/ 37.14066°N 116.03764°W/37.14066; -116.03764(Fob-Green - 1) 1,266 m (4,154 ft) – 266.7 m (875 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
8 kt [1][5][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Fob-Red- 2 January 23, 197016:30:00.21 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9iv2437°08′15″N116°02′16″W/ 37.13737°N 116.03765°W/37.13737; -116.03765(Fob-Red - 2) 1,263 m (4,144 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Ajo January 30, 197017:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gd37°01′51″N116°02′08″W/ 37.03079°N 116.03562°W/37.03079; -116.03562(Ajo) 1,191 m (3,907 ft) – 304.11 m (997.7 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt [1][4][5][6][7]
Belen February 4, 197017:00:00.07 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3br37°03′18″N116°02′23″W/ 37.05497°N 116.03971°W/37.05497; -116.03971(Belen) 1,206 m (3,957 ft) – 420.8 m (1,381 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
97 kt [1][6][7][10][11]
Grape B February 4, 197017:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U7v37°05′53″N116°01′39″W/ 37.09804°N 116.02737°W/37.09804; -116.02737(Grape B) 1,269 m (4,163 ft) – 554.46 m (1,819.1 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
120 kt [1][5][6][7][10]
Labis February 5, 197015:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U10an37°09′50″N116°02′23″W/ 37.16392°N 116.0397°W/37.16392; -116.0397(Labis) 1,286 m (4,219 ft) – 441.96 m (1,450.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
25 kt [1][5][6][7]
Diana Mist February 11, 197019:15:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U12n.0637°12′04″N116°12′22″W/ 37.20123°N 116.2061°W/37.20123; -116.2061(Diana Mist) 2,229 m (7,313 ft) – 402.02 m (1,319.0 ft) tunnel,
weapon effect
12 kt [1][4][6][7][10]
Cumarin February 25, 197014:28:38.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gz37°02′12″N116°00′00″W/ 37.03655°N 116.00013°W/37.03655; -116.00013(Cumarin) 1,206 m (3,957 ft) – 408.51 m (1,340.3 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
51 kt [1][5][6][7][10]
Yannigan-Blue- 2 February 26, 197015:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2ay337°06′50″N116°04′00″W/ 37.11375°N 116.06664°W/37.11375; -116.06664(Yannigan-Blue - 2) 1,258 m (4,127 ft) – 394 m (1,293 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt Venting detected [1][6][7][8][9][11] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Yannigan-Red- 1 February 26, 197015:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2ay137°06′59″N116°03′44″W/ 37.11631°N 116.06232°W/37.11631; -116.06232(Yannigan-Red - 1) 1,258 m (4,127 ft) – 388.62 m (1,275.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
70 kt Venting detected, 320 Ci (12,000 GBq) [1][4][5][6][7][8] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Yannigan-White- 3 February 26, 197015:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2ay237°07′05″N116°04′01″W/ 37.11793°N 116.06708°W/37.11793; -116.06708(Yannigan-White - 3) 1,261 m (4,137 ft) – 363 m (1,191 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
30 kt Venting detected [1][6][7][8][9][11] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Cyathus March 6, 197014:24:00.94 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U8b37°10′23″N116°05′34″W/ 37.17311°N 116.09266°W/37.17311; -116.09266(Cyathus) 1,353 m (4,439 ft) – 289.56 m (950.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
8.7 kt Venting detected, less than 46 Ci (1,700 GBq) [1][5][6][7][8][9]
Arabis-Blue- 3 March 6, 197015:00:00.21 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9itsz2637°08′22″N116°02′16″W/ 37.13956°N 116.03764°W/37.13956; -116.03764(Arabis-Blue - 3) 1,265 m (4,150 ft) + underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 kt [1][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Arabis-Green- 2 March 6, 197015:00:00.21 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9itsx2837°08′30″N116°02′06″W/ 37.14174°N 116.03488°W/37.14174; -116.03488(Arabis-Green - 2) 1,270 m (4,170 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Arabis-Red- 1 March 6, 197015:00:00.21 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9itsv2637°08′22″N116°01′56″W/ 37.13955°N 116.03218°W/37.13955; -116.03218(Arabis-Red - 1) 1,276 m (4,186 ft) – 249.94 m (820.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
3.5 kt [1][5][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Jal March 19, 197014:03:30.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3hh37°00′04″N116°01′25″W/ 37.00104°N 116.02359°W/37.00104; -116.02359(Jal) 1,178 m (3,865 ft) – 301.39 m (988.8 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
6 kt [1][4][5][6][7]
Shaper March 23, 197023:05:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U7r37°05′10″N116°01′19″W/ 37.08618°N 116.02198°W/37.08618; -116.02198(Shaper) 1,252 m (4,108 ft) – 560.44 m (1,838.7 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
89 kt [1][5][6][7][10]
Handley March 26, 197019:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U20m37°18′02″N116°32′06″W/ 37.30042°N 116.535°W/37.30042; -116.535(Handley) 1,772 m (5,814 ft) – 1,209.14 m (3,967.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
1.9 Mt [1][4][5][6][7]
Snubber April 21, 197014:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3ev2s37°03′16″N115°59′21″W/ 37.05451°N 115.98926°W/37.05451; -115.98926(Snubber) 1,253 m (4,111 ft) – 343.5 m (1,127 ft) underground shaft,
weapon effect
12.7 kt Venting detected off site, 55 kCi (2,000 TBq) [1][4][6][7][8][9]
Can-Green- 1 April 21, 197015:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dd137°06′44″N116°04′58″W/ 37.11236°N 116.08281°W/37.11236; -116.08281(Can-Green - 1) 1,266 m (4,154 ft) – 274.32 m (900.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt [1][4][5][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Can-Red- 2 April 21, 197015:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dd437°06′56″N116°04′52″W/ 37.11554°N 116.08098°W/37.11554; -116.08098(Can-Red - 2) 1,268 m (4,160 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt [1][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Beebalm May 1, 197014:13:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3fn37°03′33″N116°01′44″W/ 37.0592°N 116.02892°W/37.0592; -116.02892(Beebalm) 1,209 m (3,967 ft) – 390.21 m (1,280.2 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
1 kt [1][4][6][7][10]
Hod-C (Blue)- 3 May 1, 197014:25:00.0 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9iz2537°08′18″N116°01′56″W/ 37.13843°N 116.03216°W/37.13843; -116.03216(Hod-C (Blue) - 3) 1,276 m (4,186 ft) + underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 kt [1][7][8]
Hod-A (Green)- 1 May 1, 197014:40:00.17 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9itsx2337°08′10″N116°02′06″W/ 37.13625°N 116.03492°W/37.13625; -116.03492(Hod-A (Green) - 1) 1,268 m (4,160 ft) – 265.18 m (870.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
9 kt Venting detected on site, 1 Ci (37 GBq) [1][4][5][6][7][8] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Hod-B (Red)- 2 May 1, 197014:40:00.17 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9itsx2037°07′59″N116°02′06″W/ 37.13295°N 116.03495°W/37.13295; -116.03495(Hod-B (Red) - 2) 1,266 m (4,154 ft) – 241 m (791 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
4 kt Venting detected [1][6][7][8][9][11]
Mint Leaf May 5, 197015:30:00.17 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U12t.0137°12′59″N116°11′04″W/ 37.21649°N 116.18441°W/37.21649; -116.18441(Mint Leaf) 2,094 m (6,870 ft) – 396.24 m (1,300.0 ft) tunnel,
weapon effect
20 kt Venting detected off site, 960 kCi (36,000 TBq) [1][4][6][7][8][9]
Diamond Dust May 12, 197014:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U16a.0537°00′37″N116°12′10″W/ 37.0104°N 116.20277°W/37.0104; -116.20277(Diamond Dust) 1,899 m (6,230 ft) – 221.89 m (728.0 ft) tunnel,
joint verification
less than 20 kt Venting detected, 5 Ci (180 GBq) [1][6][7][8][9] Designed to test detection of underground nuclear tests; seeVela Uniform.
Cornice-Green- 2 May 15, 197013:30:00.17 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U10ap337°09′43″N116°02′23″W/ 37.16186°N 116.03981°W/37.16186; -116.03981(Cornice-Green - 2) 1,286 m (4,219 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
40 kt [1][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Cornice-Yellow- 1 May 15, 197013:30:00.17 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U10ap137°09′57″N116°02′11″W/ 37.16588°N 116.03636°W/37.16588; -116.03636(Cornice-Yellow - 1) 1,293 m (4,242 ft) – 390.14 m (1,280.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
45 kt [1][4][5][6][7] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Manzanas May 21, 197014:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gr37°00′44″N115°59′34″W/ 37.01214°N 115.99265°W/37.01214; -115.99265(Manzanas) 1,194 m (3,917 ft) – 240.65 m (789.5 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
1 kt Venting detected on site, less than 0.2 Ci (7.4 GBq) [1][4][6][7][8][9]
Morrones May 21, 197014:15:00.03 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3ei37°04′15″N116°00′50″W/ 37.07076°N 116.01387°W/37.07076; -116.01387(Morrones) 1,237 m (4,058 ft) – 482.72 m (1,583.7 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
29 kt [1][6][7][10]
Hudson Moon May 26, 197014:16:00.17 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U12e.1237°10′57″N116°12′51″W/ 37.18256°N 116.21427°W/37.18256; -116.21427(Hudson Moon) 2,274 m (7,461 ft) – 422.45 m (1,386.0 ft) tunnel,
weapon effect
9 kt Venting detected on site, 1.3 kCi (48 TBq) [1][4][6][7][8][9]
Flask-Green- 1 May 26, 197015:00:00.05 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2az137°06′48″N116°03′49″W/ 37.11336°N 116.06354°W/37.11336; -116.06354(Flask-Green - 1) 1,251 m (4,104 ft) – 529 m (1,736 ft) underground shaft,
peaceful research
105 kt Venting detected, 63 Ci (2,300 GBq) [1][5][6][7][8][9] Simultaneous, Separate holes. Project Plowshare – develop clean devices for hard rock excavation.
Flask-Red- 3 May 26, 197015:00:00.05 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2az337°06′58″N116°04′03″W/ 37.11615°N 116.06757°W/37.11615; -116.06757(Flask-Red - 3) 1,259 m (4,131 ft) – 152.4 m (500 ft) underground shaft,
peaceful research
35 t Venting detected [1][6][7][8][9] Simultaneous, Separate holes. Project Plowshare – develop clean devices for hard rock excavation.
Flask-Yellow- 2 May 26, 197015:00:00.05 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2az237°07′05″N116°03′49″W/ 37.11799°N 116.06364°W/37.11799; -116.06364(Flask-Yellow - 2) 1,259 m (4,131 ft) – 335 m (1,099 ft) underground shaft,
peaceful research
90 t Venting detected [1][6][7][8][9] Simultaneous, Separate holes. Project Plowshare – develop clean devices for hard rock excavation.
Piton C May 28, 197011:45:00.2 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9itsaa237°08′18″N116°01′51″W/ 37.13842°N 116.03079°W/37.13842; -116.03079(Piton C) 1,279 m (4,196 ft) – 100.58 m (330.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
2.5 kt Venting detected on site, 25 kCi (920 TBq) [1][6][7][8][9]
Piton- 1 May 28, 197012:00:00.164 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9itsy3037°08′38″N116°02′01″W/ 37.14393°N 116.03349°W/37.14393; -116.03349(Piton - 1) 1,274 m (4,180 ft) – 236.22 m (775.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
800 t Venting detected on site, more than 10 Ci (370 GBq) [1][4][6][7][8][9] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Piton- 2 May 28, 197012:00:00.164 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9itsx2737°08′26″N116°02′06″W/ 37.14056°N 116.03497°W/37.14056; -116.03497(Piton - 2) 1,270 m (4,170 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt Venting detected on site [1][6][7][8] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Arnica-Violet- 2 June 26, 197013:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dd337°07′02″N116°05′06″W/ 37.11716°N 116.08495°W/37.11716; -116.08495(Arnica-Violet - 2) 1,272 m (4,173 ft) – 264 m (866 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
2 kt Venting detected, 73 Ci (2,700 GBq) [1][6][7][8][9][11] Simultaneous, separate holes.
Arnica-Yellow- 1 June 26, 197013:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dd237°06′50″N116°05′14″W/ 37.11391°N 116.08709°W/37.11391; -116.08709(Arnica-Yellow - 1) 1,270 m (4,170 ft) – 309.37 m (1,015.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development
3.5 kt [1][5][6][7][8] Simultaneous, separate holes.
  1. ^A bomb test may be a salvo test, defined as two or more explosions "where a period of time between successive individual explosions does not exceed 5 seconds and where the burial points of all explosive devices can be connected by segments of straight lines, each of them connecting two burial points and does not exceed 40 kilometers in length".[2]
  2. ^The US, France and Great Britain have code-named their test events, while the USSR and China did not, and therefore have only test numbers (with some exceptions – Soviet peaceful explosions were named). Word translations into English in parentheses unless the name is a proper noun. A dash followed by a number indicates a member of a salvo event. The US also sometimes named the individual explosions in such a salvo test, which results in "name1 – 1(with name2)". If test is canceled or aborted, then the row data like date and location discloses the intended plans, where known.
  3. ^To convert the UT time into standard local, add the number of hours in parentheses to the UT time; for local daylight saving time, add one additional hour. If the result is earlier than 00:00, add 24 hours and subtract 1 from the day; if it is 24:00 or later, subtract 24 hours and add 1 to the day. Historical time zone data obtained from theIANA time zone database.
  4. ^Rough place name and a latitude/longitude reference; for rocket-carried tests, the launch location is specified before the detonation location, if known. Some locations are extremely accurate; others (like airdrops and space blasts) may be quite inaccurate. "~" indicates a likely pro-forma rough location, shared with other tests in that same area.
  5. ^Elevation is the ground level at the point directly below the explosion relative to sea level; height is the additional distance added or subtracted by tower, balloon, shaft, tunnel, air drop or other contrivance. For rocket bursts the ground level is "N/A". In some cases it is not clear if the height is absolute or relative to ground, for example,Plumbbob/John.No number or units indicates the value is unknown, while "0" means zero. Sorting on this column is by elevation and height added together.
  6. ^Atmospheric, airdrop, balloon, gun, cruise missile, rocket, surface, tower, and barge are all disallowed by thePartial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.Sealed shaft and tunnel are underground, and remained useful under the PTBT. Intentional cratering tests are borderline; they occurred under the treaty, were sometimes protested, and generally overlooked if the test was declared to be a peaceful use.
  7. ^Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and industrial/peaceful, which may be further broken down.
  8. ^Designations for test items where known, "?" indicates some uncertainty about the preceding value, nicknames for particular devices in quotes. This category of information is often not officially disclosed.
  9. ^Estimated energy yield intons, kilotons, and megatons.A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184 gigajoules (1 gigacalorie).
  10. ^Radioactive emission to the atmosphere aside from prompt neutrons, where known. The measured species is only iodine-131 if mentioned, otherwise it is all species. No entry means unknown, probably none if underground and "all" if not; otherwise notation for whether measured on the site only or off the site, where known, and the measured amount of radioactivity released.

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqarasatauavawaxayazbabbbcbdbebfbgbhbibjbkblbmbnbobpbqbrbsbtbubvbwbxbybzcaYang, Xiaoping; North, Robert; Romney, Carl (August 2000),CMR Nuclear Explosion Database (Revision 3),SMDC Monitoring Research
  2. ^V. N. Mikhailov (ed.)."Catalog of World Wide Nuclear Testing".Begell-Atom, LLC. Archived fromthe originalon April 26, 2014.
  3. ^"Time Zone Historical Database".iana.com.RetrievedMarch 8,2014.
  4. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstNorris, Robert Standish; Cochran, Thomas B. (February 1, 1994),"United States nuclear tests, July 1945 to 31 December 1992 (NWD 94-1)"(PDF),Nuclear Weapons Databook Working Paper,Washington, DC: Natural Resources Defense Council, archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 29, 2013,retrievedOctober 26,2013
  5. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabBolt, Bruce A. (1976),Nuclear Explosions and Earthquakes: The Parted Veil,San Francisco, CA: W.H. Freeman and Co.
  6. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqarasatauavawaxayazbabbbcbdbebfbgbhbibjbkblbmbnbobpbqbrbsbtbubvbwOfficial list of underground nuclear explosions,Sandia National Laboratories, July 1, 1994,retrievedDecember 18,2013
  7. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqarasatauavawaxayazbabbbcbdbebfbgbhbibjbkblbmbnbobpbqbrbsbtbubvbwbxbybzUnited States Nuclear Tests: July 1945 through September 1992(PDF)(DOE/NV-209 REV15), Las Vegas, NV: Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office, December 1, 2000, archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 12, 2006,retrievedDecember 18,2013
  8. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqEstimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from Iodine-131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests, Chapter 2(PDF),National Cancer Institute, 1997, archived fromthe original(PDF)on December 21, 2010,retrievedJanuary 5,2014
  9. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadRadiological Effluents Released from U.S. Continental Tests 1961 Through 1992 (DOE/NV-317 Rev. 1)(PDF),DOE Nevada Operations Office, August 1996, archived fromthe original(PDF)on November 3, 2013,retrievedOctober 31,2013
  10. ^abcdefghijklmnoHechanova, Anthony E.; O'Donnell, James E. (September 25, 1998),Estimates of yield for nuclear tests impacting the groundwater at the Nevada Test Site,Nuclear Science and Technology Division
  11. ^abcdefghijkOperation Argus, 1958(DNA6039F), Washington, DC: Defense Nuclear Agency, Department of Defense, 1982,retrievedNovember 26,2013