Operation Niblick
Operation Niblick | |
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Information | |
Country | United States |
Test site | NTS Area 12, Rainier Mesa; NTS, Areas 1-4, 6-10, Yucca Flat |
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[1] was a group of 41 nuclear tests conducted in 1963-1964. These tests [note 1] followed the Operation Roller Coaster series and preceeded the Operation Whetstone series.
Name [note 2] | Date time (UT) | Local time zone [note 3][2] | 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 | 12 August 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Satsop | 15 August 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 | [1][5][6][7] | |||
Kohocton - 1 (with Natches) | 23 August 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) | [1][3][4][6][7] | ||
Natches - 2 (with Kohocton) | 23 August 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 | [1][6][7] | |||
Ahtanum | 13 September 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Bilby | 13 September 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Carp | 27 September 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) | [1][3][4][6][7][8] | ||
Narraguagus | 27 September 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) | [1][4][6][7][8] | ||
Grunion | 11 October 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Tornillo | 11 October 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | Plowshare experiment to provide a clean device for excavations. | |
Clearwater | 16 October 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) | [1][3][4][6][7] | ||
Mullet | 17 October 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 | [1][6][7] | |||
Anchovy | 14 November 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Mustang | 15 November 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Greys | 22 November 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Barracuda - 2 (with Sardine) | 4 December 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) | [1][4][6][7] | Simultaneous, separate holes. | |
Sardine - 1 (with Barracuda) | 4 December 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | Simultaneous, separate holes. | |
Eagle | 12 December 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Tuna | 20 December 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) | [1][3][4][6][7] | ||
Fore | 16 January 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Oconto | 23 January 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Club | 30 January 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) | [1][3][4][6][7][8] | ||
Solendon | 12 February 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) | [1][3][4][6][7] | ||
Bunker | 13 February 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) | [1][3][4][6][7][8] | ||
Bonefish | 18 February 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) | [1][4][6][7][8] | ||
Mackerel | 18 February 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 | [1][6][7] | |||
Klickitat | 20 February 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | A Plowshare device-development experiment to produce an improved nuclear explosive for excavation applications. | |
Handicap | 12 March 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) | [1][3][4][6][7][8] | ||
Pike | 13 March 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | Vented massively for 69 seconds after detonation until quieted by chimney collapse. Possible fault crack. | |
Hook | 14 April 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Sturgeon | 15 April 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Bogey | 17 April 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) | [1][3][4][6][7] | ||
Turf | 24 April 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Pipefish | 29 April 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 | [1][3][5][6][7][8] | ||
Driver | 7 May 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) | [1][3][4][6][7] | ||
Backswing | 14 May 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Minnow | 15 May 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 | [1][5][6][7] | |||
Ace | 11 June 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) | [1][3][4][6][7] | A Plowshare device-development experiment to produce an improved nuclear explosive for excavation applications. | |
Bitterling | 12 June 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 | [1][6][7][8][9] | |||
Duffer | 18 June 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) | [1][4][6][7][8] | ||
Fade | 25 June 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) | [1][3][4][5][6][7] | ||
Dub | 30 June 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) | [1][3][5][6][7][8] | A Plowshare experiment to develop emplacement techniques. |
Table notes:
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References
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- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Norris, Robert Standish; Cochran, Thomas B. (1 February 1994), "United States nuclear tests, July 1945 to 31 December 1992 (NWD 94-1)" (PDF), Nuclear Weapons Databook Working Paper, Washington, DC: Natural Resources Defense Council, retrieved 2013-10-26
- ^ Operation Argus, 1958 (DNA6039F), Washington, DC: Defense Nuclear Agency, Department of Defense, retrieved 26 November 2013