kids encyclopedia robot

Operation Whetstone facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
See also: List of nuclear weapons tests of the United States
Quick facts for kids
Operation Whetstone
Information
Country United States
Period 1964–1965
Number of tests 46
Test type cratering, underground shaft, tunnel
Max. yield 51 kilotonnes of TNT (210 TJ)
Whetstone Sulky 001
Rubble mound formed by the Sulky shot.

The United States's Whetstone nuclear test series was a group of 46 nuclear tests conducted in 1964–1965. These tests followed the Operation Niblick series and preceded the Operation Flintlock series.

Two tests were conducted during this series by the United Kingdom: Cormorant and Courser.

United States' Whetstone series tests and detonations
Name Date time (UT) Local time zone Location Elevation + height Delivery
Purpose		 Device Yield Fallout References Notes
Bye July 16, 1964 13:15:00.15 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U10i 37°10′56″N 116°02′46″W / 37.18215°N 116.04623°W / 37.18215; -116.04623 (Bye) 1,295 m (4,249 ft) – 389.26 m (1,277.1 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 20 kt Venting detected, less than 390 Ci (14,000 GBq)
Links July 23, 1964 13:30:00.15 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9bf 37°06′49″N 116°01′58″W / 37.11371°N 116.03288°W / 37.11371; -116.03288 (Links) 1,273 m (4,177 ft) – 119.8 m (393 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt Venting detected on site, less than 7 Ci (260 GBq)
Trogon July 24, 1964 18:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3dj 37°02′46″N 116°00′47″W / 37.04606°N 116.01293°W / 37.04606; -116.01293 (Trogon) 1,204 m (3,950 ft) – 193.03 m (633.3 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt
Alva August 19, 1964 16:00:00.14 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U2j 37°09′32″N 116°05′02″W / 37.15902°N 116.08402°W / 37.15902; -116.08402 (Alva) 1,320 m (4,330 ft) – 166.04 m (544.8 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 4.4 kt Venting detected off site, 6.4 kCi (240 TBq)
Canvasback August 22, 1964 22:17:00.06 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3cp 37°03′55″N 116°00′59″W / 37.06529°N 116.01631°W / 37.06529; -116.01631 (Canvasback) 1,226 m (4,022 ft) – 447.66 m (1,468.7 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 Tsetse 18 kt Venting detected, 2 kCi (74 TBq)
Player August 27, 1964 14:30:00.15 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9cc 37°07′02″N 116°02′30″W / 37.11731°N 116.04153°W / 37.11731; -116.04153 (Player) 1,254 m (4,114 ft) – 91.44 m (300.0 ft) underground shaft,
safety experiment		 W62 less than 20 kt
Haddock August 28, 1964 17:06:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3dl 37°04′01″N 116°01′23″W / 37.06699°N 116.02304°W / 37.06699; -116.02304 (Haddock) 1,222 m (4,009 ft) – 363.66 m (1,193.1 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt
Guanay September 4, 1964 18:15:00.08 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3di 37°01′03″N 116°01′24″W / 37.01757°N 116.02343°W / 37.01757; -116.02343 (Guanay) 1,184 m (3,885 ft) – 260.97 m (856.2 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 12 kt
Spoon September 11, 1964 14:00:00.1 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9bd 37°06′49″N 116°01′35″W / 37.11367°N 116.02636°W / 37.11367; -116.02636 (Spoon) 1,289 m (4,229 ft) – 179.68 m (589.5 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 200 t Venting detected, 390 Ci (14,000 GBq)
Auk October 2, 1964 20:03:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U7b 37°04′40″N 116°00′34″W / 37.07787°N 116.00937°W / 37.07787; -116.00937 (Auk) 1,254 m (4,114 ft) – 452.38 m (1,484.2 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 12 kt
Par October 9, 1964 14:00:00.12 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U2p 37°09′05″N 116°04′40″W / 37.15138°N 116.0779°W / 37.15138; -116.0779 (Par) 1,304 m (4,278 ft) – 403.86 m (1,325.0 ft) underground shaft,
peaceful research		 38 kt Venting detected, 610 Ci (23,000 GBq) A Plowshare device with high neutron flux for creation of heavy isotopes.
Barbel - 1 (with Turnstone) October 16, 1964 15:59:30.038 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3bx 37°02′22″N 116°00′59″W / 37.03948°N 116.01641°W / 37.03948; -116.01641 (Barbel - 1) 1,194 m (3,917 ft) – 258.9 m (849 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 7 kt Venting detected, 290 Ci (11,000 GBq) simultaneous, separate holes.
Turnstone - 2 (with Barbel) October 16, 1964 15:59:30.03 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3dt 37°02′01″N 116°01′32″W / 37.03349°N 116.02555°W / 37.03349; -116.02555 (Turnstone - 2) 1,191 m (3,907 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development		 TX-57, Tsetse less than 20 kt simultaneous, separate holes.
Salmon October 22, 1964 16:00:00.0 CST (–6 hrs)
 Salmon Site, near Lumberton, Mississippi 31°08′32″N 89°34′12″W / 31.14229°N 89.57001°W / 31.14229; -89.57001 (Salmon) 74 m (243 ft) – 830 m (2,720 ft) underground shaft,
joint verification		 W58 5.3 kt Project Vela Uniform/Dribble, detection of underground tests. Exploded in Tatum salt dome.
Garden October 23, 1964 15:00:00.94 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9aj 37°07′01″N 116°01′55″W / 37.11699°N 116.03202°W / 37.11699; -116.03202 (Garden) 1,274 m (4,180 ft) – 149.66 m (491.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt
Forest October 31, 1964 17:04:58.61 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U7a 37°06′26″N 116°01′59″W / 37.10717°N 116.03312°W / 37.10717; -116.03312 (Forest) 1,270 m (4,170 ft) – 380.73 m (1,249.1 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt Venting detected, 5 Ci (180 GBq)
Handcar November 5, 1964 15:00:00.11 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U10b 37°10′28″N 116°04′04″W / 37.17431°N 116.0679°W / 37.17431; -116.0679 (Handcar) 1,307 m (4,288 ft) – 402.95 m (1,322.0 ft) underground shaft,
peaceful research		 W55, Starling 12 kt Venting detected on site, 70 Ci (2,600 GBq) A Plowshare project for measuring effects of contained explosion on carbonate rock.
Crepe December 5, 1964 21:15:00.1 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U2q 37°06′52″N 116°03′16″W / 37.11437°N 116.05431°W / 37.11437; -116.05431 (Crepe) 1,252 m (4,108 ft) – 404.2 m (1,326 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 20 kt Venting detected, 250 Ci (9,200 GBq)
Drill (Source-Lower) - 1 December 5, 1964 21:15:00.16 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U2ai 37°08′03″N 116°04′14″W / 37.13424°N 116.07062°W / 37.13424; -116.07062 (Drill (Source-Lower) - 1) 1,280 m (4,200 ft) – 219.46 m (720.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 3.4 kt Venting detected off site, 61 kCi (2,300 TBq) simultaneous, same hole.
Drill (Target-Upper) - 2 December 5, 1964 21:15:00.16 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U2ai 37°08′03″N 116°04′14″W / 37.13424°N 116.07062°W / 37.13424; -116.07062 (Drill (Target-Upper) - 2) 1,280 m (4,200 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt Venting detected off site simultaneous, same hole.
Cassowary - 1 (with Hoopoe) December 16, 1964 20:00:00.07 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3bn 37°02′22″N 116°01′29″W / 37.03954°N 116.02462°W / 37.03954; -116.02462 (Cassowary - 1) 1,194 m (3,917 ft) – 150.14 m (492.6 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt simultaneous, different holes.
Hoopoe - 2 (with Cassowary) December 16, 1964 20:00:00.07 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3cf 37°02′54″N 116°02′02″W / 37.0484°N 116.03397°W / 37.0484; -116.03397 (Hoopoe - 2) 1,200 m (3,900 ft) + underground shaft,
safety experiment		 less than 20 kt simultaneous, different holes.
Parrot December 16, 1964 20:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3dk 37°02′05″N 116°00′47″W / 37.03479°N 116.01303°W / 37.03479; -116.01303 (Parrot) 1,192 m (3,911 ft) – 180.32 m (591.6 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 1.3 kt Venting detected off site, 230 kCi (8,500 TBq)
Mudpack December 16, 1964 20:10:00.1 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U10n 37°10′40″N 116°04′04″W / 37.17776°N 116.06781°W / 37.17776; -116.06781 (Mudpack) 1,310 m (4,300 ft) – 151.79 m (498.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapon effect		 2.7 kt Venting detected, less than 54 Ci (2,000 GBq)
Sulky December 18, 1964 19:35:00.09 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U18d 37°04′57″N 116°20′36″W / 37.08259°N 116.34345°W / 37.08259; -116.34345 (Sulky) 1,597 m (5,240 ft) – 27.28 m (89.5 ft) underground shaft,
peaceful research		 Mk-7 92 t Venting detected off site, 130 kCi (4,800 TBq) A Plowshare project for hard, dry excavation test, to study dispersion of radionuclides.
Wool January 14, 1965 16:00:00.14 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9bh 37°07′08″N 116°01′32″W / 37.11895°N 116.02565°W / 37.11895; -116.02565 (Wool) 1,287 m (4,222 ft) – 215.13 m (705.8 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 7 kt Venting detected, 200 Ci (7,400 GBq)
Tern January 29, 1965 18:22:00.03 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3dw 37°02′42″N 116°00′50″W / 37.04497°N 116.01396°W / 37.04497; -116.01396 (Tern) 1,202 m (3,944 ft) – 210.65 m (691.1 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 500 t Venting detected on site, 170 Ci (6,300 GBq)
Cashmere February 4, 1965 15:30:00.11 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U2ad 37°07′51″N 116°03′45″W / 37.13073°N 116.06253°W / 37.13073; -116.06253 (Cashmere) 1,270 m (4,170 ft) – 232.18 m (761.7 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 4 kt Venting detected, 8 Ci (300 GBq)
Alpaca February 12, 1965 15:10:29.49 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U2a 37°09′54″N 116°04′39″W / 37.165°N 116.07744°W / 37.165; -116.07744 (Alpaca) 1,315 m (4,314 ft) – 224.61 m (736.9 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 330 t Venting detected off site, 40 kCi (1,500 TBq)
Merlin February 16, 1965 17:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ct 37°03′06″N 116°01′28″W / 37.05163°N 116.02452°W / 37.05163; -116.02452 (Merlin) 1,203 m (3,947 ft) – 296.14 m (971.6 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 Tsetse 10.1 kt I-131 venting detected, 0
Wishbone February 18, 1965 16:18:47.15 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U5a 36°49′05″N 115°57′00″W / 36.81798°N 115.9501°W / 36.81798; -115.9501 (Wishbone) 913 m (2,995 ft) – 179.22 m (588.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapon effect		 5 kt Venting detected on site, 6.9 kCi (260 TBq)
Seersucker February 19, 1965 15:28:54.11 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9bm 37°07′02″N 116°01′55″W / 37.11723°N 116.03185°W / 37.11723; -116.03185 (Seersucker) 1,274 m (4,180 ft) – 142.34 m (467.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt Venting detected on site, less than 410 Ci (15,000 GBq)
Wagtail March 3, 1965 19:13:00.03 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3an 37°03′52″N 116°02′17″W / 37.06448°N 116.03793°W / 37.06448; -116.03793 (Wagtail) 1,210 m (3,970 ft) – 749.59 m (2,459.3 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 TX-61 51 kt Venting detected, 13 Ci (480 GBq)
Suede March 20, 1965 15:30:49.1 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9bk 37°06′55″N 116°01′38″W / 37.11538°N 116.02736°W / 37.11538; -116.02736 (Suede) 1,286 m (4,219 ft) – 143.52 m (470.9 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 200 t Venting detected, 1.3 kCi (48 TBq)
Cup March 26, 1965 15:34:08.16 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9cb 37°08′51″N 116°02′39″W / 37.14748°N 116.04415°W / 37.14748; -116.04415 (Cup) 1,267 m (4,157 ft) – 536.75 m (1,761.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 38 kt Venting detected, 4.7 kCi (170 TBq)
Kestrel April 5, 1965 21:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3dd 37°01′33″N 116°01′25″W / 37.02576°N 116.02351°W / 37.02576; -116.02351 (Kestrel) 1,187 m (3,894 ft) – 446.87 m (1,466.1 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 Tsetse 7 kt Venting detected, 230 Ci (8,500 GBq)
Palanquin April 14, 1965 13:14:00.1 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U20k 37°16′49″N 116°31′28″W / 37.28033°N 116.52445°W / 37.28033; -116.52445 (Palanquin) 1,861 m (6,106 ft) – 85.34 m (280.0 ft) cratering,
peaceful research		 4.3 kt Venting detected off site, 11 MCi (410 PBq) A Plowshare project for hard, dry excavation test, to study dispersion of radionuclides.
Gum Drop April 21, 1965 22:00:00.03 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U16a.02 37°00′26″N 116°12′11″W / 37.00712°N 116.20293°W / 37.00712; -116.20293 (Gum Drop) 1,931 m (6,335 ft) – 304.8 m (1,000 ft) tunnel,
weapon effect		 W55, Kinglet 20 kt Venting detected, 1.9 kCi (70 TBq)
Chenille April 22, 1965 13:39:00.1 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9bg 37°06′41″N 116°01′53″W / 37.11137°N 116.03136°W / 37.11137; -116.03136 (Chenille) 1,276 m (4,186 ft) – 140.74 m (461.7 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 1 kt Venting detected on site, less than 110 Ci (4,100 GBq)
Muscovy April 23, 1965 21:44:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3dx 37°01′03″N 115°59′46″W / 37.01741°N 115.99605°W / 37.01741; -115.99605 (Muscovy) 1,189 m (3,901 ft) – 180.29 m (591.5 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 600 t
Tee May 7, 1965 15:47:11.15 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U2ab 37°08′26″N 116°04′03″W / 37.14042°N 116.06745°W / 37.14042; -116.06745 (Tee) 1,283 m (4,209 ft) – 190.2 m (624 ft) underground shaft,
weapon effect		 7 kt Venting detected off site, 1.6 kCi (59 TBq)
Buteo May 12, 1965 18:15:00.1 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U20a 37°14′33″N 116°25′54″W / 37.24261°N 116.43175°W / 37.24261; -116.43175 (Buteo) 1,960 m (6,430 ft) – 695.55 m (2,282.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt
Cambric May 14, 1965 14:57:52.15 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U5e 36°49′24″N 115°58′04″W / 36.82334°N 115.9677°W / 36.82334; -115.9677 (Cambric) 929 m (3,048 ft) – 294.28 m (965.5 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 750 t Cambric and Cheshire (on Pahute Mesa) to study radioactivity movement in ground water. In 16 years 4 billion gallons (30 billion liters) were pumped, took 2 yrs for the tritium to move 300 ft (91 m). Sr-40 and Cs-137 never detected.
Scaup May 14, 1965 17:32:36.23 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3da(s) 37°03′32″N 116°00′45″W / 37.05875°N 116.0125°W / 37.05875; -116.0125 (Scaup) 1,222 m (4,009 ft) – 427.02 m (1,401.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 12 kt
Tweed May 21, 1965 13:08:52.11 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9bn 37°07′07″N 116°01′42″W / 37.11848°N 116.02843°W / 37.11848; -116.02843 (Tweed) 1,281 m (4,203 ft) – 281.07 m (922.1 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 15 kt Venting detected, 600 Ci (22,000 GBq)
Petrel June 11, 1965 19:45:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3dy 37°02′34″N 116°01′04″W / 37.04279°N 116.01776°W / 37.04279; -116.01776 (Petrel) 1,197 m (3,927 ft) – 180.75 m (593.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 Mk-57, Tsetse 1.3 kt
Organdy June 11, 1965 20:28:37.11 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9bo 37°06′57″N 116°01′27″W / 37.11573°N 116.02412°W / 37.11573; -116.02412 (Organdy) 1,294 m (4,245 ft) – 169.47 m (556.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 500 t Venting detected, 130 Ci (4,800 GBq)
Diluted Waters June 16, 1965 16:30:00.15 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U5b 36°49′05″N 115°57′26″W / 36.81808°N 115.95709°W / 36.81808; -115.95709 (Diluted Waters) 916 m (3,005 ft) – 190.5 m (625 ft) underground shaft,
weapon effect		 4 kt Venting detected off site, 30 kCi (1,100 TBq)
Tiny Tot June 17, 1965 17:00:00.09 PST (–8 hrs)
 NTS Area U15e 37°13′24″N 116°03′28″W / 37.22337°N 116.05784°W / 37.22337; -116.05784 (Tiny Tot) 1,533 m (5,030 ft) – 110.95 m (364.0 ft) tunnel,
weapon effect		 W54 less than 20 kt Venting detected on site, 7 Ci (260 GBq)
kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Operation Whetstone Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.