DOCSLIB.ORG

Background Information on Nevada Nuclear Tests

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Background Information on Nevada Nuclear Tests . I .1 iWQADA TJ!STORXN~ATION & —. ..” . Nevada Test Site II Mercury, N&ada . i. ! .. .- ;’””. .. ... , J . :h. + — — -. .“ . .. ,. .- . ,. * .,. -. -.:.:. BACKGROUND INFORMATION “: ,,- : .. on b . .- ——NEVADA NUCLEAR .TESTS -.- . >.- BEST COPY AVAILABLE . :) :; t. ‘:*:&.. ,, A swnnary of previously=.releasedinfonwtion . providing ans&s to questions concerning the need for and value of nuclear tests, past use of the continental test site, on-site opera- . ,. tions and controls, public s~fe&, and some ,m.1.. ,. phases of organization and program. ? .- , f .: .1 . .,. -.. .. Prewred by . O?FICE OF TEST INFORMATION .-; 6,. .. 1235 South Kin Street - b-.+-b .-:”‘,+ Las Tegaa, Nevada &j:,’.:::~ Reyised to July 15, 1957 .-”.. “... ).”’ l’” : i’ / ----- . .. -.— .. -—. -—-. —— -- .- ------ * — . i ... - ,. -. A large volume of official information has been is- sued concerning Nevada nuclear testing since Nevada Test Site was activated in January 1951. The information made ‘public has been contained in official publications and reports of the Atomic Energy Commission, the Department of Defense, the Federal Civil Defense Administration, other.Federal organizations> and the joint Nev~a Test Organizattin. prior to the Spring 1952 series~ the Test org~za- . tion received many requests from newsmen, from public officials, and fran representatives of Federal agencies for a compilation of officially-approved basic informa- tion to be used as a source book. As a result the first compilation of Background Information was issued during . the 1952 series. In order to meet similar requests, the information sumnary has been brou~-t up-to-date for each subsequent Nevada Series, incorporating data released offici~y in the interim period. The present Background Information is such a compi- lation. It does not attempt to be all-inclusive. Many supplementary details are available elsewhere, for in- stance in the 1957 revision of ‘Atomic Tests in Nevada,n the various semiannual reports of the AEC to Congress, snd the Government publication ‘lTheEffects of Atomic Weapons.” Suchpublications are usually available in public libraries. A All materi~ summarized here has been offieia”ly re leased previously, following security and classification review by the Federal agency with primary responsibility for the subject matter. e -i- s BACKGROUND INFOFJIATIONON NEVADA NUCLEAR TESTS Outline of Contents Maps, ,Charts and Photographs Photograph of Nuclear Cloud . \ . Inside Front Co$e Photograph ofShotBalloon . ...’.... i. Control Room within the main Control Point Bldg at NTS . vi List of All Full Scale Nuclear Detonations In Nevada. viii & I Other United States,United Kingdom, and Russian Tests. : Control Point Building at Nevada Test Site. x Control Point.of NTS from a Hillside View. b photograph ofCampMercuxy. ?. Chart of H~dquarters Agencies and Nevada Test Organization. .. ‘? Chart of Test llirector~sOrganization. .. ? Photograph ofCampDesert Rock . ..? Photograph of Underground Burst. , . Inside Back Cove Map of Nevada Test Site Vicinity . Back Cove Schematic Arrangement of Balloon Shot Area.. , . Insert Between 38 & 3 Schematic Arrangement-of Tower Shot Area, . Insert Between 38 & 3 ...., : Forward. .- ~.. , . ... ‘ Section 1. Responsibility for U.-S. Nuclear Weapons Programs . Atomic Energ Commission, Armed Forces, FCDA Section 2. Why Nuclear Weapons arid-Devicesare Field Tested. To Advance Weapons Development . Nine Developmental Purposes . Designing Experimental Devices . Need for Military Weapons Effects Tests .. Citil, Structural and Biomedical Experiments . Summary of United States Nuclear Tests by Series . 3 & Section 3. Origin, History and Value of Continental Testing . Trinity, 19f+5. First Developmental Tests in the Pacifi& . “. Selection of8Continental Site. .. .. .. NumbersandTypes of Detonations . ● Uses Made-df Individual Nevada Tests . 6 & Costs ofNevadaTests. Postponements=. ,. Operating Controlso . , . Claims ArisingfromNevada Tests . Suits inFederalCourts. , . j“. Value of a Continental.Site to National Programs . 3 AEC Weapons Laboratories . .1 - iii - A SHOT BAIX)ON AT NEVADA TEST SITE W?kQ” Page ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 11 Axmed Forces . ● *O O*** ● ● ● ● ● ● ● . 8 ✎ ✎ ● ● ● ● ● ● 11 Civilian Programs . ● ******C ● ● ● ● ● b .0 ● ● ● ● ● :11 & 12 Why an Overseas Site is Also Essential ● ● ● b ● ● ● ● Q ● \ ● ● ● ● b ● 13 ‘ Section l+. Planning and Conducting Nevada Tests ● ✍9 ● ● ● ✘ ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 13 Origin of.a Series . ● *****9 ● * ● ** ● ● ● ● 9 ☛ ● Each Shot Justified for Technical Necessity . ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● s ● ● ● ● u ✎ ● ● ● ● . 13 Operating Considerations. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● . ● ● ● ● ● 13 Requirement for Technical Success . ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ✎ ● Public Safety Requirement. .. ● ● ● ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ● ● 9 . u ● ● Placement of Devices. ● ● ✎ ● . ✎ ● ● ● ● . ● u ✎ Placement to Avoid Contaminating Another Site. ● ● ● ● ● . ☛ ● ● ● . m u ✎ ● ● ● Hours of Tests . x . 0 ● ● . ● ● ● ● b ● 9 . u+ ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ● 9 ● ● u Division of Real Estate-and of Air . ● !’ ● ● ● ● * ● ● ● 15 Buildup in Laboratories and at the Site . ● . ● ● ● ● 9 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ✎ ● ● ● 15 The Move to Nevada . ..... ● ● ● ● ✎ ● ● ● ● ● . ● ● ● ● ● ● 16 Pre-Shot Schedule and Considerati~ns. ● ● ● ● ● ✎ ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 17 Weather is Major Consideration . ● ● ● . ✎ 9 ● ● ● s ● r ● Factors Affecting Last Minute Postponements ☛ . ● ● ● ● ● 9 ● ● ● ● ● ● .l’7&18 . ✎ ● 19 Post-Shot Operations. .,:“-.● ☛☛ ● ● ● ● . ✎ ● . , ✎ ● ● ● 19 On-Site Monitoring . ● ✎✍☛ ● ● ● ✎ . ✎ . ● ● . ● . ● ● 19 Cloud Sampling and Tracking . e*a ✎ ● ● ✎ ● ✎ ● 9 ● ● ● ● . 9 9 ● ● 19 AirClosurebyCAA. ● -.* ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● . ● ● ● . ● ● 19 Establishing the Fallout Pattern .** ✎ ● ● ● ● ✎ . ● . ● ● s . ● ● ● ● 19 Distant Monitoring . ● ** ● ● ☛ ✎ . ✘ . ● ● . Section 5. Training Programs and Other Activities Utilizing ● ● ● 20 Other Nearby Locations . .’. ● . ● ● ● ● . ● ● . ✎ ● ● ✎ 20 Citil Defense Training-and Technical Programs ● ● . ● ● ✎ ● ● 9 ● ● ● ✎ ✎ ● 21 Milita~ On-Site Training and Observation . ● ● ● ● ● ● 9 ✎ ● ● ● Air Crew Training and Indoctrination . ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ● ● ● ● ● ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ✘ 21 ● ✎ ● 21 Public Health Service Training . , . ● ● ✎ ✎ ☛ ● ● ✃ ● ✎ ● 9 Other Programs at Nevada Test Site and Nearby ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ● ● ● e ● ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● 22 ● ● ✎ ✎ 22 The Safety Experiment Program . ● ✎ ● ● ✎ ● ● ● ● ● . ● ✎ ● 22 Li~ermore High Explosive Tests . ● . ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ e ✎ ● ● * 9 New Technical Area . ✎ . ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ● ● ● ● . ● ✎ ● . ● 22 ● ● ● ● 22 Tonopah Ballistics Range . ● 0 ✘ ✎ ✎ ● ● ● ● ✎ . ✎ ✎ 22 Watertown Project . ● . ● ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● * ✎ . ● ● ● . ● 23 Other Projects at NTS . ● . ✎ ● w ● ● ● ● . Section 6. The Nevada Taft Organization . ● ● 0 ✎ e ● ● ● ● ● . ● ● . 2-4 A Joint-Agency Organization . ● . ● ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ . ● ● ✎ ● ● ● 24 ✎ ● AEC Albuquerque Operations . ✎ ● . ✎ . ✎ ✎ ✎ . ● . 9 ✎ 24 ✎ ✎ ✎ 25 Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory . ● ● ● ● ● ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ● ● University of California Radiation Laboratory (Iiivermore)● ● ● ● ● ● ✎ 25 SandiaLaboratory . ..*** ● ● ● ● ● ● ✎ 25 Armed Forces Special Weapons Project. .****- e ● . 9 ● ● ● 26 ✎ ● 26 Armed Forces Spcial Weapons Center . ● ☛☛☛☛☛ ● ● ● ● 9 AEC Support Contractors . ● ✎☛☛✎☛ ● ● . ● ● ✎ 27 ( -iv- 4 Subject Section 7. Where Nevada Tests Are-Conducted ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● . ● . ● . ● Location and Geography . .** . ● ✎ ✎ ● ● ● ● ✃ ● . ✘ . ✎ . ● Additions to the Original Site. ● ☛☛ . ● ✎ ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ✎ ● ✎ . ● Contract and Construction Date. ✎☛☛ ● ● ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ● ● ● ● * ● ✌ Supporting Installations . ● ☛☛ ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ✎ ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ● ● ● .. Camp Mercury . ● ☛☛ ● ● ● ● ● ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ● ● ● ● ✎ ● I Camp Desert Rock . ●✼✎✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ .“ Indian Springs Air Force Base. ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ● ● ● ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ✌ . Technical Areas Within NTS. ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ✎ ● The Control Point. .*O ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✌ ● ● ✎ Frenchman Flat . .** ● ✎ ✎ ● ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ . Yucca*sin . .0. ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ . Section 8.. Technical Facilities and Instrumentation ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ . Purpose,.oTTechnical Facilities . ● . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ● Technical Structures and Instruments. ● ✎ ● ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . AirDrop Targets . ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ● ● ✎ . Test Towers . ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ● ● ● Balloon Winches and Winch Shelters . ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . Instrumentation”and Structures . ● ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ . Underground Instrumentation Bunkers. ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ . The Control Point:”’. ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ . New Instrumentation .-. ... ● ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . PART II June 24, 1957 Section 9. The 1957 Test Series . .* ● ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . The Purpose . ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ✎ ● Extent of Program . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ . 1957 Shots . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ V* Shot Names . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . Dual and Triple Capability. ● . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . Yield Range of a Device . ● ● . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ● . The ‘lOpen”Shots. ✎ ✎ . ✎✍☛ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎☛ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ . Section 10. Balloons$ Tunnels and Rockets . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ☛ Air-to-Air Rocket . ..*.* ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ Tunnel Shot. ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ Balloon Shots . ● ☛✎☛☛ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ Section 11. Safety and Radiation Protection ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ Reduction~f Fallout. ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ Warning Procedures . ● ✎ ✎ ● ● ✎ ● ✎ ● ● ✎ ✎ ● ● ✎ Radiation Exposure Levels . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ ● ✎ Radiological Monitoring . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ● ✎ Cloud Sampling and Tracking; Airborne Monitoring. ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ .0 Paths of Radioactive Clouds . ● ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . Monitoring Teams in Test Site Area. ✎ ● ● ● ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ● * FilmBadges . .. , . ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ✎ .* -v- -. Page _ 2W!?Q . Physicians and Veterimrian . ● . ● ☛ ● ● . ● ● . ● . 55 Automatic Radiation Reporting System. ● ✎ . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . ● ✎ ✎ . ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● z ‘ Other Data.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Geodesy and Contemporary Strain in the Yucca Mountain Region, Nevada
    Geodesy and Contemporary Strain in the Yucca Mountain Region, Nevada By W.R. Keefer, J.A. Coe, S.K. Pezzopane, anofW. Clay Hunter U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Open-File Report 97-383 Prepared in cooperation with the NEVADA OPERATIONS OFFICE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (Interagency Agreement DE-AI08-92NV10874) Denver, Colorado 1997 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Gordon P. Eaton, Director The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from: Chief, Earth Science Investigations Program U.S. Geological Survey Yucca Mountain Project Branch Information Services U.S. Geological Survey Box 25286 Box 25046, Mail Stop 421 Federal Center Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 Denver, CO 80225-0046 CONTENTS Abstract................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction .............................................................................. 1 Background and Piirpose...........................................................................................................................................^ 1 Geologic Setting ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Geodetic
    [Show full text]
  • 2012 04 Newsletter
    United States Atmospheric & Underwater Atomic Weapon Activities National Association of Atomic Veterans, Inc. 1945 “TRINITY“ “Assisting America’s Atomic Veterans Since 1979” ALAMOGORDO, N. M. Website: www.naav.com E-mail: [email protected] 1945 “LITTLE BOY“ HIROSHIMA, JAPAN R. J. RITTER - Editor April, 2012 1945 “FAT MAN“ NAGASAKI, JAPAN 1946 “CROSSROADS“ BIKINI ISLAND 1948 “SANDSTONE“ ENEWETAK ATOLL 1951 “RANGER“ NEVADA TEST SITE 1951 “GREENHOUSE“ ENEWETAK ATOLL 1951 “BUSTER – JANGLE“ NEVADA TEST SITE 1952 “TUMBLER - SNAPPER“ NEVADA TEST SITE 1952 “IVY“ ENEWETAK ATOLL 1953 “UPSHOT - KNOTHOLE“ NEVADA TEST SITE 1954 “CASTLE“ BIKINI ISLAND 1955 “TEAPOT“ NEVADA TEST SITE 1955 “WIGWAM“ OFFSHORE SAN DIEGO 1955 “PROJECT 56“ NEVADA TEST SITE 1956 “REDWING“ ENEWETAK & BIKINI 1957 “PLUMBOB“ NEVADA TEST SITE 1958 “HARDTACK-I“ ENEWETAK & BIKINI 1958 “NEWSREEL“ JOHNSTON ISLAND 1958 “ARGUS“ SOUTH ATLANTIC 1958 “HARDTACK-II“ NEVADA TEST SITE 1961 “NOUGAT“ NEVADA TEST SITE 1962 “DOMINIC-I“ CHRISTMAS ISLAND JOHNSTON ISLAND 1965 “FLINTLOCK“ AMCHITKA, ALASKA 1969 “MANDREL“ AMCHITKA, ALASKA 1971 “GROMMET“ AMCHITKA, ALASKA 1974 “POST TEST EVENTS“ ENEWETAK CLEANUP ------------ “ IF YOU WERE THERE, YOU ARE AN ATOMIC VETERAN “ The Newsletter for America’s Atomic Veterans COMMANDER’S COMMENTS knowing the seriousness of the situation, did not register any Outreach Update: First, let me extend our discomfort, or dissatisfaction on her part. As a matter of fact, it thanks to the membership and friends of NAAV was kind of nice to have some of those callers express their for supporting our “outreach” efforts over the thanks for her kind attention and assistance. We will continue past several years. It is that firm dedication to to insure that all inquires, along these lines, are fully and our Mission-Statement that has driven our adequately addressed.
    [Show full text]
  • Richard G. Hewlett and Jack M. Holl. Atoms
    ATOMS PEACE WAR Eisenhower and the Atomic Energy Commission Richard G. Hewlett and lack M. Roll With a Foreword by Richard S. Kirkendall and an Essay on Sources by Roger M. Anders University of California Press Berkeley Los Angeles London Published 1989 by the University of California Press Berkeley and Los Angeles, California University of California Press, Ltd. London, England Prepared by the Atomic Energy Commission; work made for hire. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hewlett, Richard G. Atoms for peace and war, 1953-1961. (California studies in the history of science) Bibliography: p. Includes index. 1. Nuclear energy—United States—History. 2. U.S. Atomic Energy Commission—History. 3. Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969. 4. United States—Politics and government-1953-1961. I. Holl, Jack M. II. Title. III. Series. QC792. 7. H48 1989 333.79'24'0973 88-29578 ISBN 0-520-06018-0 (alk. paper) Printed in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 CONTENTS List of Illustrations vii List of Figures and Tables ix Foreword by Richard S. Kirkendall xi Preface xix Acknowledgements xxvii 1. A Secret Mission 1 2. The Eisenhower Imprint 17 3. The President and the Bomb 34 4. The Oppenheimer Case 73 5. The Political Arena 113 6. Nuclear Weapons: A New Reality 144 7. Nuclear Power for the Marketplace 183 8. Atoms for Peace: Building American Policy 209 9. Pursuit of the Peaceful Atom 238 10. The Seeds of Anxiety 271 11. Safeguards, EURATOM, and the International Agency 305 12.
    [Show full text]
  • The Views and Issues America's Atomic Veterans
    THE VIEWS AND ISSUES OF AMERICA’S ATOMIC VETERANS N-001 TRINITY SITE - NEW MEXICO THE FIRST ATOMIC BOMB TEST JULY 16, 1945 ATOMIC BOMB DROPPED OVER HIROSHIMA, JAPAN AUGUST 6, 1945 ATOMIC BOMB DROPPED OVER NAGASAKI, JAPAN AUGUST 9, 1945 N-002 TRINITY TEST - 07-16-45 - 19 KILOTONS N-003 HIROSHIMA 2 MILES FROM THE CENTER OF BLAST 08-07-45 N-004 HIROSHIMA 1.5 MILES FROM THE CENTER OF BLAST 08-07-45 N-005 “ FAT MAN “ DETONATION OVER CITY OF NAGASAKI PHOTO TAKEN BY A JAPANESE RAIL LINE SURVEYOR N-006 NAGASAKI 2.5 MILES FROM CENTER OF BLAST 08-10-45 N-007 NAGASAKI 1.5 MILES FROM CENTER OF BLAST 08-10-45 N-008 BIKINI ATOLL ( MARSHALL ISLANDS ) “ CROSSROADS “ 2 WEAPONS EFFECTS TESTS INVOLVING 42,000 MILITARY PERSONNEL N-009 38 MILES TEST ABLE TEST BAKER THERE WERE 23 ATOMIC WEAPONS TESTED ON BIKINI ATOLL N-010 CROSSROADS “ ABLE “ PHOTO FROM ISLAND CAMERA N-011 CROSSROADS “ BAKER “ PHOTO FROM AIRCRAFT N-012 CROSSROADS “ BAKER “ PHOTO FROM ISLAND CAMERA N-013 BIKINI ATOLL “ SANDSTONE “ 3 TESTS 10,000 + MILITARY PERSONNEL N-014 SANDSTONE “ X-RAY “ - 04-14-48 - BIKINI ATOLL TOWER SHOT 37 KILOTONS N-015 B-29 “ OVEREXPOSED “ AIR CREW BEING CHECKED FOR RADIATION AFTER RETURNING FROM ATOMIC CLOUD SAMPLING MISSION OVER BIKINI ATOLL N-016 NEVADA TEST SITE “ RANGER “ & “ BUSTER- JANGLE “ ( 11 TESTS ) 7,000 + MILITARY PESONNEL - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ENEWETAK ATOLL “ GREENHOUSE “ ( 5 TESTS ) 7,500 + MILITARY PERSONNEL N-017 CAMP DESERT ROCK MILITARY PERSONNEL ASSEMBLED FOR ATOMIC WEAPONS TEST BRIEFINGS N-018 GROUND OBSERVATION TROOPS ON WAY TO THEIR
    [Show full text]
  • Mercury Bowling Alley Demolition
    MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION NEVADA FIELD OFFICE, AND THE NEVADA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER REGARDING THE DEMOLITION OF THE MERCURY BOWLING ALLEY, NEVADA NATIONAL SECURITY SITE, NEVADA WHEREAS, the National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office (NNSA/NFO) intends to demolish the Mercury Bowling Alley (Building 23-517) on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) in Nye County, Nevada, as part of its plans for new construction and modernization of Mercury to support the NNSS's changing role in national security; and WHEREAS, the present undertaking consists of the demolition of Building 23-517 (SHPO Resource Number B 14451) that has remained vacant since the mid-i 990s following the end of nuclear testing activities at the NNSS (formerly Nevada Test Site [NTS]). In planning for the undertaking, NNSA/NFO considered all possible alternatives to avoid and minimize adverse effects to historic properties; and WHEREAS, theNNSA/NFO has defined the undertaking's area of potential effect (APE) as a 4.5-acre area in Mercury bounded on the west by the Mercury Highway, on the east by Teapot Street, on the south by Trinity Avenue, and on the north by a prominent terrace immediately south of a parking lot, park, and tennis/basketbatl court (Attachment A); and WHEREAS, the NNSA/NFO recorded and evaluated Building 23-517 (Attachment A) En accordance with the Nevada ArchUectvral Survey and Inventory Guidelines, and has determined that Building 23-517 is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under the Secretary's Significance Criteria A and C at the locai level of historic significance related to the era of nuclear testing; and WHEREAS, the NNSA/NFO has determined that the undertaking will constitute an adverse effect to the historic property Building 23-517, and has consulted with the Nevada Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) pursuant to 36 C.F.R.
    [Show full text]
  • Nevada Test Site: Desert Annex of TESTS SINCE the Nuclear Weapons Laboratories 1945 Q Denotes “Subcritical” Introduction Test
    Western States Legal Foundation Nevada Desert Experience Information Bulletin Summer 2005 update 1,000+ U.S. NUCLEAR The Nevada Test Site: Desert Annex of TESTS SINCE the Nuclear Weapons Laboratories 1945 q denotes “subcritical” Introduction test Aardvark 1962 Abeytas 1970 The Nevada Test Site (NTS), an immense tract of desert and mountains northwest of Las Abilene 1988 Able 1946 Able 1951 Vegas, is the test range where the United States government set off over 900 nuclear Able 1951 Able 1952 explosions during the Cold War phase of the arms race. For most Americans, the Test Site is Abo 1985 Absinthe 1967 only a symbol of a closed chapter of history, a time of great danger that now is over. Even Ace 1964 Acushi 1963 those who know that the Nevada Test Site still is used for “subcritical” testing of nuclear Adobe 1962 Adze 1968 weapons materials and components underground may think operations largely have been Agile 1967 Agouti 1962 Agrini 1984 suspended, with unused facilities retained only against the eventuality of a return to full scale Ahtanum 1963 Ajax 1966 underground nuclear testing. But the Test Site remains an important part of the nuclear Ajo 1970 Akavi 1981 weapons complex, both a remote site where dangerous activities can be conducted with little Akbar 1972 Alamo 1988 public knowledge and a weapons laboratory unto itself. High risk programs involving nuclear Aleman 1986 Algodones 1971 material, such as nuclear criticality experiments, are slated for transfer to the Test Site, and it Aligote 1981 Aliment 1969 Allegheny 1962 also is being considered as a location for a proposed factory to mass produce plutonium pits, Alma 1962 Almendro 1973 the atomic explosive “triggers”at the core of most nuclear weapons.
    [Show full text]
  • Sandia's Weapons Program
    Sandia’s weapons program: Exciting work ahead, but the fiscal environment will be challenging Joan Woodard talks about program’s accomplishments, prospects, budgets, and staffing The Lab News had the opportunity recently to sit three things that are important. First of all, we down with Deputy Labs Director for Nuclear Weapons need to have a stockpile that’s sized appropriately, Joan Woodard to talk about the state of the program. and the president has made his decision about The interview was conducted by John German and where to go with that stockpile and we’re on that Stephanie Holinka. Here’s a transcript of their course to get there by 2012. conversation. The second part of this issue is that the stock- * * * pile needs to be capable of addressing the interna- Lab News: Let’s start with a big question . tional threat environment; it needs to have the What are the strongest arguments today for mainte- right capabilities. The military and DoD will need nance of the existing stockpile as a credible deterrent? to make that determination. As a nation, we talk There’s a national debate on this subject and the about capabilities-based strategy for national secu- outcome of that debate will determine much of the rity and defense; this strategy needs to be applied Labs’ future. in the nuclear deterrent arena. Joan Woodard: Let me first note that I don’t The third part is maintaining the technical think there’s a person at Sandia — and it would strength and competency to understand nuclear probably be hard to find anyone in the nation — weapons physics, weapons design engineering, who wouldn’t welcome a nuclear weapons-free, advanced technology, survivability, surety technol- peaceful world if we could really get there with ogy and systems, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey
    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GUIDEBOOK FOR PAST FIELD TRIPS TO THE NEVADA TEST SITE by R. L* Christiansen, F. G. Poole, Harley Barnes, P. P. Orkild, F. M. Byers, Jr., W. J. Carr, F. A. McKeown, F. N. Houser, E. M. Shoemaker, and W. L. Emerick Open-file Report 1969 69 This report is preliminary and has not been edited or reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey standards and nomenclature. CONTENTS Page General Introduction, by Robert L. Christiansen. ........ 1 Paleozoic Stratigraphy and post-Paleozoic tectonic structure of Nevada Test Site and Vicinity, by F. G. Poole and Harley Barnes. ........................ 2 Timber Mountain Caldera and Related Volcanic Rocks, by Robert L. Christiansen, Paul P. Orkild, F. M. Byers, Jr., and W. J. Carr ........................ 24 Engineering Geology and Surface Effects of Nuclear Explosions, by F. A. McKeown, F. N. Houser, E. M. Shoemaker, and W. L. Emerick. ........................ 47 GENERAL INTRODUCTION A wide variety of geological studies has been undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey at the Nevada Test Site since 1957 in cooperation with the Nevada Operations Office of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. This book has been prepared as a guide to some of the major results of the Survey's studies in this area and has been*divided into three topically oriented field trips. In several respects the Nevada Test Site is located in an area that is especially interesting geologically. It lies along the projected trend of the Walker Lane and the Las Vegas Valley Shear Zone (Locke and others, 1940; Longwell, 1960), one of the major crustal features of the Basin-Range province.
    [Show full text]
  • The Nevada Test Site and the Socializing Practices of a Nuclearized World
    C H A P T E R 1 The Nevada Test Site and the Socializing Practices of a Nuclearized World The Nevada Test Site is a devastatingly holy place. —Anne Symens-Bucher1 “So this is how it feels,” Mary Ann Cejka thought, as she stared down at the handcuffs loosely fastened about her wrists. Writing about the act of nonviolent civil disobedience she took part in at the Nevada Test Site the first week of January, 1986, Ms. Cejka mused how, strangely, “I felt perfectly calm as I waited my turn to be frisked by a female official from the U.S. Department of Energy.”2 A campus minis- ter at California State University Long Beach at the time, Cejka had been drawn by a compelling sense of urgency to take nonviolent action at the United States’ nuclear proving ground sixty-five miles north of Las Vegas. Concerned about what she perceived as the increasing threat of nuclear war, Cejka decided to take part in the Nevada Desert Experience “New Year’s” ritual of prayer and nonviolent witness. Driving east from Southern California across the Mojave Desert and then skirting Death Valley, Cejka had arrived at St. James Catholic Church in Las Vegas the day before the activities at the test site began. She joined nearly two hundred people in preparation for their journey to a site where the United States and Britain had detonated hundreds of nuclear bombs. They participated in a nonviolence training that set the tone for the peace witness and prepared some of them to risk arrest.
    [Show full text]
  • Estimated Potentiometric Surface of the Death Valley Regional Groundwater Flow System, Nevada and California by Michael T
    U.S. Department of the Interior Prepared in cooperation with the Scientific Investigations Report 2016-5150 U.S. Geological Survey Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Sheet 1 (Interagency Agreement DE–AI52–01NV13944), and Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (Interagency Agreement DE–AI28–02RW12167), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Nye County, Nevada 650000 115° 117° 550000 116° 600000 118° 450000 500000 San Antonio Mts Monte Cristo Range Monitor Range Big Smokey Stone Valley Cabin Grant Range Valley Railroad 1600 Tonopah Valley Quinn Canyon Range Reveille Range 38° 38° Lincoln County Reveille Valley 4200000 4200000 Esmeralda County 1700 1500 1800 1500 Cactus Penoyer Valley Goldfield 00 00 16 Flat 16 (Sand Spring Worthington Range Hill Valley) Nye County 1600 Cactus Range Clayton Valley Stonewall Montezuma Range Flat Kawich Range Timpahute Range Hiko Range Kawich Fish Lake Valley 1700 1500 Gold Valley North Pahranagat Range 1600 Flat Palmetto Mts 1400 Stonewall 1400 4150000 4150000 1500 Mtn 1600 1500 East Pahranagat Range Pahranagat Range 1300 Magruder Mtn Tikaboo Valley Belted Range EmigrantValley Groom Range Last Chance Range 1500 Slate Ridge 1200 1300 Eureka Valley 1200 Pahute 1100 Black Mesa 1100 Mtn 1000 Gold Rainier Eleana 1500 Range Mtn Stonewall Mesa 1000 White Mts Pass Desert Range 900 Halfpint Range Shoshone Yucca 800 Grapevine Mts Flat 1300 Timber Mtn 1500 Sarcobatus Mtn 700 4100000 4100000 1700 Flat 37° 37° 1400 Desert 1600 Valley
    [Show full text]
  • Operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE
    Operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE Note: For information related to claims, call the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at 800-827- 1000 or the Department of Justice (DOJ) at 800-729-7327. For all other information, call the Nuclear Test Personnel Review (NTPR) Program at 800-462-3683. Operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE, the ninth series of atmospheric nuclear tests, was conducted by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) at the Nevada Proving Ground (NPG) from March 17, 1953, to June 4, 1953. The series consisted of 11 nuclear tests. One detonation was an atomic artillery projectile fired from a 280-mm cannon, three were airdrops, and seven were detonated on towers ranging from 100 to 300 feet in height. The operation involved an estimated 20,100 Department of Defense (DoD) personnel participating in observer programs, tactical maneuvers, scientific studies, and support activities. UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE was intended to test nuclear devices for possible inclusion in the U.S. arsenal, to improve military tactics, equipment, and training, and to study civil defense needs. Historical Background During UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE, the largest DoD participation was in Exercise Desert Rock V, a program involving members of all four armed services. Exercise Desert Rock V included troop orientation and training, a volunteer officer observer program, tactical troop maneuvers, operational helicopter tests, and damage effects evaluation. Orientation and training generally included lectures and briefings on the effects of nuclear weapons, observation of a nuclear detonation, and a subsequent visit to a display of military equipment damaged by the detonation. In the volunteer officer observer program, trained staff officers calculated the effects of a nuclear detonation to determine a minimum safe distance for observing the blast; they later watched the detonation from the calculated position.
    [Show full text]
  • Nevada National Security Site Underground Test Area (UGTA) Flow and Transport Modeling – Approach and Example
    Nevada National Security Site Underground Test Area (UGTA) Flow and Transport Modeling – Approach and Example Bill Wilborn UGTA Activity Lead U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office Bob Andrews Navarro-INTERA December 12, 2014 Outline • Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) • Environmental Management (EM) mission at NNSS • Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) • UGTA strategy and approach • NNSS inventory • Example of UGTA strategy implementation at Yucca Flat • Summary ID 876 – December 2014 – Page 2 PageLog 2Title No. 2014-231Page 2 EM Mission at NNSS • Characterization and remediation activities at radioactive and non-radioactive contaminated sites – Activities focus on groundwater, soil, and onsite infrastructure contamination from historic nuclear testing • Low-level radioactive and hazardous waste management and disposal – National disposal facility for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Complex (Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site) • Environmental planning, compliance, and monitoring ID 876 – December 2014 – Page 3 PageLog 3Title No. 2014-231Page 3 FFACO • FFACO provides approach for DOE to develop and implement corrective actions under the regulatory authority and oversight of State of Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) • Agreement for governing the process to identify, characterize, and implement corrective actions at historical sites used in the development, testing, and production of nuclear weapons • Tri-party agreement – NDEP, DOE, and U.S. Department of Defense ID 876 – December 2014 – Page 4 PageLog 4Title No. 2014-231Page 4 FFACO UGTA Strategy Assumptions 1. Groundwater technologies for removal or stabilization of subsurface radiological contamination are not cost-effective 2. Closure in place with monitoring and institutional controls is the only likely corrective action 3.
    [Show full text]