Operation Nougat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Operation Nougat |
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Nougat Gnome salt dome cavity.
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| Information | |
| Country | United States |
| Test site |
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| Period | 1961-1962 |
| Number of tests | 44 |
| Test type | cratering, underground shaft, tunnel |
| Max. yield | 67 kilotonnes of TNT (280 TJ) |
| Navigation | |
| Previous test series | Operation Hardtack II |
| Next test series | Operation Sunbeam |
Operation Nougat was a series of 44 nuclear tests. The United States carried out these tests in 1961 and 1962. Most of them happened at the Nevada Test Site. These tests began right after the Soviet Union ended a break from nuclear testing.
One test, called Mink, took place just one day before the Soviets exploded their very powerful Tsar Bomba. Most of the explosions in Operation Nougat were small and happened deep underground. Newer designs for weapons would be tested more in the air during Operation Dominic I and II.
Operation Dominic I and II followed Operation Nougat. There was some overlap in when these tests happened. Operation Hardtack II was the series of tests that came before Nougat and the testing break.
Contents
Key Nuclear Tests in Nougat
The Antler Test
Antler was the first nuclear test the United States did when they started testing again. It happened on September 15, 1961. During this test, the explosion accidentally released some radioactive material. This happened because the tunnel where the test took place broke open. This problem often occurred with tunnel tests back then. Scientists thought it was because water above the blast turned into steam and escaped.
The Shrew Test
Shrew was the first test from the Los Alamos lab after testing restarted. The device was buried deep underground, about 325 feet (99 meters) down. It was placed in a long metal container. After the test, airplanes found some radioactivity in the air.
Project Gnome: A Peaceful Test
One special test in Operation Nougat was called Gnome. This test was different because it was done for peaceful research. It happened near Carlsbad, New Mexico, on December 10, 1961. The explosion took place in a salt dome, which is a big underground salt formation.
The blast created a large underground space, like a cave. This cave was about 170 feet (52 meters) wide and 80 feet (24 meters) tall. Some radioactivity was accidentally released during this test and was detected far away.
British Nuclear Tests in the US
Some records include a British nuclear test as part of Operation Nougat. This test was called Pampas. It was the first time the United Kingdom tested a nuclear weapon at the Nevada Test Site. You can find more details about this at British nuclear testing in the United States.
Images for kids
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Nougat Gnome salt dome cavity.
