Knowra Nuclear weapons testing Nuclear weapons testing Nuclear weapons testing is the detonation of nuclear devices to assess their performance, effects, or reliability. Tests have been conducted underground, underwater, in the atmosphere, and above it.
Underground nuclear testing : Nuclear detonations conducted beneath Earth's surface, usually in shafts or tunnels. Rock containment became the principal way to test explosive performance while limiting atmospheric fallout.
Trinity test : The first detonation of a nuclear weapon, conducted by the United States in New Mexico on July 16, 1945. Trinity established nuclear testing as a practical means of validating a weapon design.
Radioactive fallout : Radioactive particles deposited on Earth's surface after being carried through the atmosphere. Atmospheric tests spread fallout far beyond test ranges and national borders.
International Monitoring System : The global network of seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound, and radionuclide stations supporting verification of the test-ban treaty. Its sensors seek evidence of nuclear explosions across land, oceans, and atmosphere.
Atmospheric nuclear testing : Nuclear detonations conducted in the atmosphere, including tests delivered by towers, aircraft, or balloons. The fireballs and fallout from these tests exposed populations and ecosystems to radioactive debris.
Operation Crossroads : A 1946 U.S. nuclear test series at Bikini Atoll designed to study explosions against naval vessels. Its underwater and atmospheric blasts made ships and a lagoon a large-scale test environment.
Downwinders : People exposed to radioactive fallout carried downwind from nuclear test sites. Their illnesses and exposure claims made the human costs of testing a public issue.
On-site inspection : An inspection conducted within a state's territory to investigate possible treaty violations. Inspectors can investigate suspicious events that remote monitoring cannot settle alone.
Underwater nuclear testing : Nuclear detonations conducted beneath the surface of a body of water. Water tests measured blast and radiation effects on ships while producing contaminated spray.
Soviet atomic bomb project : The Soviet Union's program to develop its first nuclear weapons, culminating in a 1949 test. The Soviet test ended the U.S. monopoly and made testing part of an arms competition.
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