Operation Arbor facts for kids

The Operation Arbor nuclear test series was a set of 18 nuclear tests carried out by the United States between 1973 and 1974. These tests were done underground to study nuclear weapons and their effects. This series happened after Operation Toggle and before Operation Bedrock.

What was Operation Arbor?

Operation Arbor was a program where the United States conducted 18 underground nuclear tests. These tests took place over two years, from 1973 to 1974. The main goal was to develop new weapons and understand how they would affect different materials and structures.

Where did these tests happen?

All the tests in Operation Arbor happened at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). This is a large area in Nevada, USA, that was used for testing nuclear weapons. It's a remote desert area chosen to keep people safe from the tests.

How were the tests done?

The tests were conducted deep underground. Scientists used two main methods:

• Underground shafts: These were like deep wells drilled into the ground. The nuclear device was placed at the bottom of the shaft.
• Tunnels: Some tests were done inside long tunnels dug into mountainsides. The device was placed far inside the tunnel.

Exploding the devices underground helped to contain most of the energy and radioactive materials. This was important for safety and to prevent widespread fallout. Sometimes, very small amounts of gas could escape, which was carefully monitored.

How powerful were these tests?

The power of a nuclear test is measured in kilotons (kt). One kiloton is equal to the energy released by 1,000 tons of TNT. The tests in Operation Arbor varied in power. The smallest tests were "less than 20 kilotons," meaning they were less powerful than 20,000 tons of TNT.

The most powerful test in this series was called Latir. It had a yield of 150 kilotons. This means it released energy equal to 150,000 tons of TNT. This was a very strong explosion, even though it was contained underground.