In this article we are going to address the topic of Operation Niblick, which has aroused great interest in today's society. Operation Niblick is an issue that has generated debates and discussions in different areas, whether in the political, social, cultural or scientific sphere. There is broad interest in learning more about Operation Niblick and understanding its implications in our daily reality. For this reason, in this article we propose to analyze the different aspects and perspectives surrounding Operation Niblick, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and enriching vision of this topic. Along these lines, we will explore various opinions and positions that will allow us to have a broader and enriching panorama about Operation Niblick.
Operation Niblick | |
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Information | |
Country | United States |
Test site |
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Period | 1963–1964 |
Number of tests | 41 |
Test type | underground shaft |
Max. yield | 249 kilotonnes of TNT (1,040 TJ) |
Test series chronology | |
The United States's Niblick nuclear test series was a group of 41 nuclear tests conducted in 1963–1964. These tests [note 1] followed the Operation Roller Coaster series and preceded the Operation Whetstone series.
Name [note 2] | Date time (UT) | Local time zone[note 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pekan | August 12, 1963 23:45:00.13 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3bw 37°02′30″N 116°00′59″W / 37.04164°N 116.01644°W | 1,197 m (3,927 ft) – 302.27 m (991.7 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
8 kt | Venting detected, 1.1 MCi (41 PBq) | |||
Satsop | August 15, 1963 13:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U2g 37°09′15″N 116°04′39″W / 37.15407°N 116.07756°W | 1,306 m (4,285 ft) – 224.94 m (738.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
3 kt | ||||
Kohocton – 1 (with Natches) | August 23, 1963 13:20:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9ak 37°07′30″N 116°02′11″W / 37.12492°N 116.03626°W | 1,289 m (4,229 ft) – 254.51 m (835.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
less than 20 kt | Venting detected, 3 kCi (110 TBq) | |||
Natches – 2 (with Kohocton) | August 23, 1963 13:20:00.14 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9ak1 37°07′30″N 116°02′10″W / 37.12492°N 116.03612°W | 1,261 m (4,137 ft) + | underground shaft, weapons development |
less than 20 kt | ||||
Ahtanum | September 13, 1963 13:53:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U2l 37°09′48″N 116°04′54″W / 37.16333°N 116.08157°W | 1,320 m (4,330 ft) – 225.55 m (740.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
1 kt | Venting detected, 35 Ci (1,300 GBq) | |||
Bilby | September 13, 1963 17:00:00.13 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3on 37°03′38″N 116°01′21″W / 37.06053°N 116.02237°W | 1,215 m (3,986 ft) – 714.3 m (2,344 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
249 kt | Venting detected, 1 Ci (37 GBq) | |||
Carp | September 27, 1963 14:20:00.13 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3cb 37°02′14″N 116°00′59″W / 37.03728°N 116.01643°W | 1,193 m (3,914 ft) – 329.55 m (1,081.2 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
80 t | Venting detected on site, 1.1 kCi (41 TBq) | |||
Narraguagus | September 27, 1963 17:30:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U2f 37°09′17″N 116°04′27″W / 37.15473°N 116.07423°W | 1,302 m (4,272 ft) – 150.27 m (493.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
80 t | Venting detected, 160 Ci (5,900 GBq) | |||
Grunion | October 11, 1963 14:00:00.11 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3bz 37°02′14″N 116°01′19″W / 37.03735°N 116.02196°W | 1,193 m (3,914 ft) – 261.31 m (857.3 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
8 kt | Venting detected, 4 kCi (150 TBq) | |||
Tornillo | October 11, 1963 21:00:00.155 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9aq 37°07′07″N 116°02′05″W / 37.11867°N 116.03473°W | 1,267 m (4,157 ft) – 149.05 m (489.0 ft) | underground shaft, peaceful research |
380 t | Venting detected, 520 Ci (19,000 GBq) | Plowshare experiment to provide a clean device for excavations. | ||
Clearwater | October 16, 1963 17:00:00.14 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U12q 37°11′53″N 116°13′49″W / 37.19812°N 116.23038°W | 2,233 m (7,326 ft) – 548.03 m (1,798.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
60 kt | Venting detected, 4.6 kCi (170 TBq) | |||
Mullet | October 17, 1963 15:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U2ag 37°07′51″N 116°04′04″W / 37.13076°N 116.06783°W | 1,275 m (4,183 ft) – 60.35 m (198.0 ft) | underground shaft, safety experiment |
less than 20 kt | ||||
Shoal | October 26, 1963 17:00:00.1 | PST (–8 hrs) |
Fallon, Nevada 39°12′00″N 118°22′52″W / 39.20012°N 118.38124°W | 1,603 m (5,259 ft) – 370 m (1,210 ft) | underground shaft, joint verification |
12 kt | Venting detected, 110 Ci (4,100 GBq) | Project Vela Uniform, investigation of detection of underground testing. | ||
Anchovy | November 14, 1963 16:00:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3bq 37°02′22″N 116°01′09″W / 37.03947°N 116.01913°W | 1,194 m (3,917 ft) – 260.25 m (853.8 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
9 kt | Venting detected on site, less than 230 kCi (8,500 TBq) | |||
Mustang | November 15, 1963 15:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9at 37°07′56″N 116°02′52″W / 37.13226°N 116.04776°W | 1,257 m (4,124 ft) – 165.81 m (544.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
2 kt | Venting detected, 100 Ci (3,700 GBq) | |||
Greys | November 22, 1963 17:30:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9ax 37°07′09″N 116°02′46″W / 37.11929°N 116.04604°W | 1,248 m (4,094 ft) – 300.84 m (987.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
20 kt | Venting detected, less than 460 Ci (17,000 GBq) | |||
Barracuda – 2 (with Sardine) | December 4, 1963 16:38:30.13 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3cr 37°02′38″N 116°00′47″W / 37.04386°N 116.01295°W | 1,202 m (3,944 ft) – 263.3 m (864 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
less than 20 kt | Venting detected on site, 100 Ci (3,700 GBq) | Simultaneous, separate holes. | ||
Sardine – 1 (with Barracuda) | December 4, 1963 16:38:30.118 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3ch 37°02′23″N 116°01′48″W / 37.03959°N 116.03009°W | 1,194 m (3,917 ft) – 262 m (860 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
8 kt | Venting detected on site, 30 Ci (1,100 GBq) | Simultaneous, separate holes. | ||
Eagle | December 12, 1963 16:02:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9av 37°07′52″N 116°02′41″W / 37.13098°N 116.04476°W | 1,254 m (4,114 ft) – 164.59 m (540.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
5.3 kt | Venting detected off site, 760 Ci (28,000 GBq) | |||
Tuna | December 20, 1963 15:24:00.13 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3de 37°03′10″N 116°02′03″W / 37.05277°N 116.03413°W | 1,203 m (3,947 ft) – 414.35 m (1,359.4 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
less than 20 kt | Venting detected on site, less than 0.1 Ci (3.7 GBq) | |||
Fore | January 16, 1964 16:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9ao 37°08′31″N 116°03′01″W / 37.14205°N 116.05014°W | 1,263 m (4,144 ft) – 490.42 m (1,609.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
38 kt | Venting detected, 1.2 kCi (44 TBq) | |||
Oconto | January 23, 1964 16:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9ay 37°07′35″N 116°02′14″W / 37.12637°N 116.0372°W | 1,260 m (4,130 ft) – 264.69 m (868.4 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
10.5 kt | Venting detected off site, 30 kCi (1,100 TBq) | |||
Club | January 30, 1964 16:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U2aa 37°08′10″N 116°04′18″W / 37.13616°N 116.07153°W | 1,283 m (4,209 ft) – 180.44 m (592.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
2 kt | Venting detected, 590 Ci (22,000 GBq) | |||
Solendon | February 12, 1964 15:38:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3cz 37°03′24″N 116°01′48″W / 37.05659°N 116.02998°W | 1,206 m (3,957 ft) – 150.17 m (492.7 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
less than 20 kt | Venting detected on site, 10 Ci (370 GBq) | |||
Bunker | February 13, 1964 15:30:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9bb 37°07′55″N 116°02′00″W / 37.13201°N 116.03325°W | 1,270 m (4,170 ft) – 226.77 m (744.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
1.5 kt | Venting detected on site, less than 420 Ci (16,000 GBq) | |||
Bonefish | February 18, 1964 15:37:19.12 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3bt 37°03′34″N 116°02′03″W / 37.05937°N 116.03405°W | 1,207 m (3,960 ft) – 300.76 m (986.7 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
5 kt | Venting detected, 19 Ci (700 GBq) | |||
Mackerel | February 18, 1964 15:37:37.124 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U4b 37°05′44″N 116°03′06″W / 37.09558°N 116.05159°W | 1,236 m (4,055 ft) – 333.71 m (1,094.8 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
less than 20 kt | ||||
Klickitat | February 20, 1964 15:30:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U10e 37°09′03″N 116°02′28″W / 37.15084°N 116.04098°W | 1,273 m (4,177 ft) – 492.56 m (1,616.0 ft) | underground shaft, peaceful research |
70 kt | Venting detected, less than 10 Ci (370 GBq) | A Plowshare device-development experiment to produce an improved nuclear explosive for excavation applications. | ||
Handicap | March 12, 1964 15:00:00.01 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9ba 37°07′48″N 116°02′14″W / 37.12995°N 116.03726°W | 1,261 m (4,137 ft) – 143.26 m (470.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
200 t | Venting detected on site, 300 Ci (11,000 GBq) | |||
Pike | March 13, 1964 16:02:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3cy 37°03′02″N 116°00′44″W / 37.05042°N 116.01224°W | 1,211 m (3,973 ft) – 114.5 m (376 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
2 kt | Venting detected off site, 120 kCi (4,400 TBq) | Vented massively for 69 seconds after detonation until quieted by chimney collapse. Possible fault crack. | ||
Hook | April 14, 1964 14:40:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9bc 37°07′44″N 116°01′51″W / 37.12887°N 116.0307°W | 1,276 m (4,186 ft) – 203.67 m (668.2 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
3 kt | Venting detected on site, less than 350 Ci (13,000 GBq) | |||
Sturgeon | April 15, 1964 14:30:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3bo 37°02′38″N 116°01′09″W / 37.04393°N 116.01911°W | 1,198 m (3,930 ft) – 149.77 m (491.4 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
2 kt | Venting detected, 230 Ci (8,500 GBq) | |||
Bogey | April 17, 1964 15:29:52.28 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9au 37°07′10″N 116°02′05″W / 37.11944°N 116.03476°W | 1,265 m (4,150 ft) – 118.84 m (389.9 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
less than 20 kt | Venting detected on site, less than 60 Ci (2,200 GBq) | |||
Turf | April 24, 1964 20:10:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U10c 37°08′59″N 116°03′22″W / 37.14982°N 116.05609°W | 1,272 m (4,173 ft) – 506.88 m (1,663.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
38 kt | Venting detected, less than 200 Ci (7,400 GBq) | |||
Pipefish | April 29, 1964 20:47:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3co 37°02′22″N 116°01′38″W / 37.03954°N 116.02735°W | 1,194 m (3,917 ft) – 261.92 m (859.3 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
15 kt | I-131 venting detected, 0 | |||
Driver | May 7, 1964 13:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9ar 37°07′13″N 116°02′28″W / 37.12021°N 116.04116°W | 1,253 m (4,111 ft) – 148.19 m (486.2 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
less than 20 kt | Venting detected on site, 37 Ci (1,400 GBq) | |||
Backswing | May 14, 1964 14:40:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9aw 37°07′02″N 116°02′23″W / 37.11729°N 116.03981°W | 1,257 m (4,124 ft) – 163.37 m (536.0 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
8 kt | Venting detected on site, 37 Ci (1,400 GBq) | |||
Minnow | May 15, 1964 16:15:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3cv 37°02′30″N 116°00′47″W / 37.04167°N 116.01297°W | 1,199 m (3,934 ft) – 241.34 m (791.8 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
6 kt | ||||
Ace | June 11, 1964 16:45:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U2n 37°08′55″N 116°04′37″W / 37.14856°N 116.07687°W | 1,300 m (4,300 ft) – 262.74 m (862.0 ft) | underground shaft, peaceful research |
3 kt | Venting detected on site, 9 Ci (330 GBq) | A Plowshare device-development experiment to produce an improved nuclear explosive for excavation applications. | ||
Bitterling | June 12, 1964 14:01:00.1 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U3cu 37°02′20″N 116°00′47″W / 37.03892°N 116.01293°W | 1,196 m (3,924 ft) – 192.6 m (632 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
500 t | ||||
Duffer | June 18, 1964 13:30:00.2 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U10ds 37°09′57″N 116°02′21″W / 37.16595°N 116.03928°W | 1,288 m (4,226 ft) – 445.71 m (1,462.3 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
150 t | Venting detected, less than 41 Ci (1,500 GBq) | |||
Fade | June 25, 1964 13:30:00.14 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U9be 37°06′40″N 116°01′47″W / 37.11109°N 116.02965°W | 1,280 m (4,200 ft) – 205.16 m (673.1 ft) | underground shaft, weapons development |
6 kt | Venting detected on site, 35 Ci (1,300 GBq) | |||
Dub | June 30, 1964 13:33:00.14 | PST (–8 hrs) |
NTS Area U10a 37°10′28″N 116°03′26″W / 37.17434°N 116.05736°W | 1,282 m (4,206 ft) – 258.56 m (848.3 ft) | underground shaft, peaceful research |
11.7 kt | Venting detected on site, 29 Ci (1,100 GBq) | A Plowshare experiment to develop emplacement techniques. |