Operation Bowline

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Operation Bowline
Bowline Schooner.gif
Bowline Schooner, 30 kilotons
Information
CountryUnited States
Test site
  • NTS Area 12, Rainier Mesa
  • NTS Area 16, Shoshone Mountain
  • NTS Area 19, 20, Pahute Mesa
  • NTS Areas 5, 11, Frenchman Flat
  • NTS, Areas 1–4, 6–10, Yucca Flat
Period1968–1969
Number of tests47
Test typecratering, underground shaft, tunnel
Max. yield1.2 megatonnes of TNT (5.0 PJ)
Test series chronology
Map all coordinatesin "Operation Bowline" using: OpenStreetMap

The United States's Bowline nuclear test series [1] was a group of 47 nuclear tests conducted in 1968–1969. These tests [note 1] followed the Operation Crosstie series and preceded the Operation Mandrel series.

United States' Bowline series tests and detonations
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
SpudJuly 17, 1968 14:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3fy 37°00′03″N115°59′59″W / 37.00095°N 115.99962°W / 37.00095; -115.99962 (Spud) 1,178 m (3,865 ft)240.29 m (788.4 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
1.5 kt [1] [3] [4] [5]
TanyaJuly 30, 1968 13:00:00.0 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dt 37°07′59″N116°04′59″W / 37.13317°N 116.08312°W / 37.13317; -116.08312 (Tanya) 1,271 m (4,170 ft)381 m (1,250 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
20 ktVenting detected, 140 Ci (5,200 GBq) [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
ImpAugust 9, 1968 13:00:00.0 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2bj 37°09′42″N116°04′41″W / 37.16176°N 116.07808°W / 37.16176; -116.07808 (Imp) 1,314 m (4,311 ft)178.46 m (585.5 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
350 tVenting detected on site, 4.2 kCi (160 TBq) [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
RackAugust 15, 1968 17:00:00.0 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9ap 37°07′25″N116°02′57″W / 37.12373°N 116.0491°W / 37.12373; -116.0491 (Rack) 1,254 m (4,114 ft)199.72 m (655.2 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
1 ktVenting detected, 10 Ci (370 GBq) [1] [3] [4] [5] [7]
Diana MoonAugust 27, 1968 16:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U11e 36°52′38″N115°55′55″W / 36.87718°N 115.93195°W / 36.87718; -115.93195 (Diana Moon) 1,004 m (3,294 ft)242.01 m (794.0 ft)underground shaft,
weapon effect
9 ktVenting detected on site, 12 kCi (440 TBq) [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
SledAugust 29, 1968 22:45:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U19j 37°15′01″N116°20′52″W / 37.25028°N 116.34777°W / 37.25028; -116.34777 (Sled) 2,057 m (6,749 ft)728.88 m (2,391.3 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
200 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] [9]
NogginSeptember 6, 1968 14:00:00.13 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9bx 37°08′09″N116°02′54″W / 37.13597°N 116.04824°W / 37.13597; -116.04824 (Noggin) 1,259 m (4,131 ft)581.99 m (1,909.4 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
120 ktVenting detected, 16 Ci (590 GBq) [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
Knife-ASeptember 12, 1968 14:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3fb 37°01′54″N116°00′45″W / 37.03178°N 116.01237°W / 37.03178; -116.01237 (Knife-A) 1,190 m (3,900 ft)331.8 m (1,089 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt [1] [4] [5]
StoddardSeptember 17, 1968 14:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2cms 37°07′11″N116°07′42″W / 37.11981°N 116.12835°W / 37.11981; -116.12835 (Stoddard) 1,370 m (4,490 ft)467.87 m (1,535.0 ft)underground shaft,
peaceful research
31 ktVenting detected, 16 Ci (590 GBq) [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] Project Plowshare – clean excavation device development.
Hudson SealSeptember 24, 1968 17:05:01.09 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U12n.04 37°12′17″N116°12′26″W / 37.20473°N 116.20727°W / 37.20473; -116.20727 (Hudson Seal) 2,168 m (7,113 ft)344.42 m (1,130.0 ft)tunnel,
weapon effect
20 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] [9]
WelderOctober 3, 1968 14:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3fs 37°02′48″N116°01′50″W / 37.04665°N 116.03048°W / 37.04665; -116.03048 (Welder) 1,199 m (3,934 ft)117.66 m (386.0 ft)underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 kt [1] [4] [5]
Knife-COctober 3, 1968 14:29:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3er 37°01′33″N115°59′38″W / 37.02591°N 115.99396°W / 37.02591; -115.99396 (Knife-C) 1,201 m (3,940 ft)301.44 m (989.0 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
3 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] [8]
VatOctober 10, 1968 14:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9cf 37°08′00″N116°02′35″W / 37.13327°N 116.04318°W / 37.13327; -116.04318 (Vat) 1,256 m (4,121 ft)194.92 m (639.5 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
1 kt [1] [3] [4] [5]
HulaOctober 29, 1968 15:36:00.09 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9bu 37°06′48″N116°02′30″W / 37.11321°N 116.0418°W / 37.11321; -116.0418 (Hula) 1,254 m (4,114 ft)198.46 m (651.1 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
250 tVenting detected on site, 7 Ci (260 GBq) [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Bit - 1October 31, 1968 18:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gt 37°02′49″N116°01′49″W / 37.04701°N 116.03021°W / 37.04701; -116.03021 (Bit - 1) 1,199 m (3,934 ft)148.31 m (486.6 ft)underground shaft,
safety experiment
1 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] simultaneous, separate holes.
Bit - 2October 31, 1968 18:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gt 37°02′49″N116°01′49″W / 37.04699°N 116.03034°W / 37.04699; -116.03034 (Bit - 2) 1,199 m (3,934 ft) + underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 kt [1] [4] [5] simultaneous, separate holes.
FileOctober 31, 1968 18:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gb 37°01′01″N116°02′11″W / 37.01708°N 116.03649°W / 37.01708; -116.03649 (File) 1,185 m (3,888 ft)228.95 m (751.1 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
7 kt [1] [4] [5]
Crew - 1November 4, 1968 15:15:00.09 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2db 37°07′50″N116°05′15″W / 37.13043°N 116.08738°W / 37.13043; -116.08738 (Crew - 1) 1,287 m (4,222 ft)603.5 m (1,980 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
22 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] [8] Simultaneous, same hole.
Crew - 2November 4, 1968 15:16:00.09 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2db 37°07′50″N116°05′15″W / 37.13042°N 116.08738°W / 37.13042; -116.08738 (Crew - 2) 1,287 m (4,222 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1] [4] [5] Simultaneous, same hole.
Crew - 3November 4, 1968 15:16:00.09 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2db 37°07′50″N116°05′15″W / 37.13042°N 116.08738°W / 37.13042; -116.08738 (Crew - 3) 1,287 m (4,222 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] Simultaneous, same hole.
AugerNovember 15, 1968 15:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3fx 37°02′52″N116°00′02″W / 37.04765°N 116.00058°W / 37.04765; -116.00058 (Auger) 1,222 m (4,009 ft)240.62 m (789.4 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
1 kt [1] [3] [4] [5]
Knife-BNovember 15, 1968 15:45:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3dz 37°01′34″N116°02′03″W / 37.02609°N 116.03412°W / 37.02609; -116.03412 (Knife-B) 1,188 m (3,898 ft)362.94 m (1,190.7 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
8 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] [8]
Ming VaseNovember 20, 1968 18:00:00.03 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U16a.04 37°00′35″N116°12′26″W / 37.00973°N 116.2072°W / 37.00973; -116.2072 (Ming Vase) 1,931 m (6,335 ft)307.94 m (1,010.3 ft)tunnel,
weapon effect
16 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] [9]
TinderboxNovember 22, 1968 16:19:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9az 37°08′24″N116°02′35″W / 37.13987°N 116.04312°W / 37.13987; -116.04312 (Tinderbox) 1,261 m (4,137 ft)439.52 m (1,442.0 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
3 ktVenting detected, 2 Ci (74 GBq) [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
SchoonerDecember 8, 1968 16:00:00.14 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U20u 37°20′36″N116°34′00″W / 37.34326°N 116.56661°W / 37.34326; -116.56661 (Schooner) 1,668 m (5,472 ft)111.22 m (364.9 ft)cratering,
peaceful research
30 ktVenting detected off site, 3.7 MCi (140 PBq) [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [10] Plowshare – excavation experiment in hard, dry rock.
Bay LeafDecember 12, 1968 15:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gq 37°02′49″N116°01′52″W / 37.04702°N 116.03104°W / 37.04702; -116.03104 (Bay Leaf) 1,199 m (3,934 ft)130.16 m (427.0 ft)underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 kt [1] [4] [5] simultaneous, separate holes.
Tyg - 1December 12, 1968 15:10:00.08 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dc1e 37°07′15″N116°04′53″W / 37.1209°N 116.08145°W / 37.1209; -116.08145 (Tyg - 1) 1,273 m (4,177 ft)228.3 m (749 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
20 ktVenting detected on site, 6.8 kCi (250 TBq) [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Tyg - 2December 12, 1968 15:10:00.08 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dc2d 37°07′03″N116°04′49″W / 37.11758°N 116.08035°W / 37.11758; -116.08035 (Tyg - 2) 1,270 m (4,170 ft)251 m (823 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
3 ktVenting detected on site [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [11]
Tyg - 3December 12, 1968 15:10:00.08 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dc3c 37°07′05″N116°04′40″W / 37.11804°N 116.07788°W / 37.11804; -116.07788 (Tyg - 3) 1,268 m (4,160 ft)228.3 m (749 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
2 ktVenting detected on site [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [11]
Tyg - 4December 12, 1968 15:10:00.08 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dc4a 37°07′16″N116°04′45″W / 37.12124°N 116.0791°W / 37.12124; -116.0791 (Tyg - 4) 1,272 m (4,173 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
1 ktVenting detected on site [1] [4] [5] [6]
Tyg - 5December 12, 1968 15:10:00.08 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dc5b 37°07′11″N116°04′39″W / 37.11985°N 116.07744°W / 37.11985; -116.07744 (Tyg - 5) 1,270 m (4,170 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
3 ktVenting detected on site [1] [4] [5] [6]
Tyg - 6December 12, 1968 15:10:00.08 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2dc6f 37°07′08″N116°04′58″W / 37.11879°N 116.08278°W / 37.11879; -116.08278 (Tyg - 6) 1,273 m (4,177 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
4 ktVenting detected on site [1] [4] [5] [6]
ScissorsDecember 12, 1968 15:20:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gh 37°00′14″N116°02′24″W / 37.00391°N 116.04°W / 37.00391; -116.04 (Scissors) 1,181 m (3,875 ft)240.58 m (789.3 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
1 ktVenting detected on site [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
BenhamDecember 19, 1968 16:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U20c - 37°13′53″N116°28′28″W / 37.23142°N 116.47448°W / 37.23142; -116.47448 (Benham) 1,887 m (6,191 ft)1,402.08 m (4,600.0 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
1.2 Mt [1] [4] [5]
PackardJanuary 15, 1969 19:00:00.07 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2u 37°08′52″N116°04′00″W / 37.14787°N 116.06654°W / 37.14787; -116.06654 (Packard) 1,288 m (4,226 ft)246.89 m (810.0 ft)underground shaft,
weapon effect
10 ktVenting detected on site, 7 Ci (260 GBq) [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
WineskinJanuary 15, 1969 19:30:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U12r 37°12′33″N116°13′35″W / 37.20909°N 116.22627°W / 37.20909; -116.22627 (Wineskin) 2,263 m (7,425 ft)518.16 m (1,700.0 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
40 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] [9]
ShaveJanuary 22, 1969 15:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gk 37°00′56″N115°59′43″W / 37.01544°N 115.99516°W / 37.01544; -115.99516 (Shave) 1,191 m (3,907 ft)240.75 m (789.9 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
2 kt [1] [3] [4] [5]
ViseJanuary 30, 1969 15:00:00.038 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3ej 37°03′12″N116°01′48″W / 37.0533°N 116.02998°W / 37.0533; -116.02998 (Vise) 1,204 m (3,950 ft)454.06 m (1,489.7 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
20 kt [1] [4] [5] [8] [9]
BigginJanuary 30, 1969 15:17:00.12 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9bz 37°08′00″N116°02′28″W / 37.13326°N 116.04113°W / 37.13326; -116.04113 (Biggin) 1,257 m (4,124 ft)242.32 m (795.0 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1] [4] [5]
NipperFebruary 4, 1969 15:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gl 37°00′09″N116°00′36″W / 37.00262°N 116.01°W / 37.00262; -116.01 (Nipper) 1,178 m (3,865 ft)240.73 m (789.8 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1] [4] [5]
WinchFebruary 4, 1969 15:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gf 37°00′34″N116°02′35″W / 37.00941°N 116.04304°W / 37.00941; -116.04304 (Winch) 1,185 m (3,888 ft)240.63 m (789.5 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
600 t [1] [3] [4] [5]
CypressFebruary 12, 1969 16:18:20.88 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U12g.09 37°10′08″N116°12′42″W / 37.16901°N 116.2116°W / 37.16901; -116.2116 (Cypress) 2,265 m (7,431 ft)359.66 m (1,180.0 ft)tunnel,
weapon effect
15 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] [9]
ValiseMarch 18, 1969 14:30:00.12 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U9by 37°08′21″N116°02′30″W / 37.13909°N 116.04171°W / 37.13909; -116.04171 (Valise) 1,261 m (4,137 ft)90.25 m (296.1 ft)underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 ktVenting detected [1] [4] [5] [7]
ChattyMarch 18, 1969 14:40:00.43 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2bn 37°09′44″N116°04′36″W / 37.16224°N 116.07679°W / 37.16224; -116.07679 (Chatty) 1,312 m (4,304 ft)194.77 m (639.0 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
800 tVenting detected, 0.7 Ci (26 GBq) [1] [3] [4] [5] [7]
BarsacMarch 20, 1969 18:12:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3gc 37°01′19″N116°01′52″W / 37.02203°N 116.03098°W / 37.02203; -116.03098 (Barsac) 1,187 m (3,894 ft)304.13 m (997.8 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
10 ktVenting detected on site, 43 Ci (1,600 GBq) [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [8]
CofferMarch 21, 1969 14:30:00.41 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2de 37°08′00″N116°05′15″W / 37.13325°N 116.0876°W / 37.13325; -116.0876 (Coffer) 1,291 m (4,236 ft)464.82 m (1,525.0 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
26 ktVenting detected, 10 Ci (370 GBq) [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Gourd-Amber - 1April 24, 1969 13:04:00.14 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2bf 37°09′50″N116°04′50″W / 37.16393°N 116.08061°W / 37.16393; -116.08061 (Gourd-Amber - 1) 1,320 m (4,330 ft)181.3 m (595 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
800 t [1] [3] [4] [5] [11] simultaneous, separate holes.
Gourd-Brown - 2April 24, 1969 13:04:00.14 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2bl 37°09′36″N116°04′55″W / 37.15998°N 116.08186°W / 37.15998; -116.08186 (Gourd-Brown - 2) 1,317 m (4,321 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
less than 20 kt [1] [4] [5] simultaneous, separate holes.
BlentonApril 30, 1969 17:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U7p 37°04′53″N116°00′53″W / 37.08145°N 116.01481°W / 37.08145; -116.01481 (Blenton) 1,255 m (4,117 ft)557.73 m (1,829.8 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
51 ktVenting detected on site [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [9]
ThistleApril 30, 1969 17:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U7t 37°05′25″N116°00′23″W / 37.09023°N 116.00651°W / 37.09023; -116.00651 (Thistle) 1,281 m (4,203 ft)560.47 m (1,838.8 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
38 kt [1] [4] [5] [9]
PurseMay 7, 1969 13:45:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U20v 37°16′58″N116°30′06″W / 37.28283°N 116.50153°W / 37.28283; -116.50153 (Purse) 1,828 m (5,997 ft)598.75 m (1,964.4 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
90 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] [8]
AlimentMay 15, 1969 18:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2gj 37°00′43″N115°59′09″W / 37.01185°N 115.98583°W / 37.01185; -115.98583 (Aliment) 1,207 m (3,960 ft)240.51 m (789.1 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
2 kt [1] [3] [4] [5]
Ipecac - 1May 27, 1969 14:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3hka 37°00′54″N116°00′11″W / 37.01498°N 116.00292°W / 37.01498; -116.00292 (Ipecac - 1) 1,181 m (3,875 ft)124.18 m (407.4 ft)underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 ktVenting detected on site [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] simultaneous, separate holes.
Ipecac - 2May 27, 1969 14:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3hkb 37°00′53″N116°00′03″W / 37.01482°N 116.00086°W / 37.01482; -116.00086 (Ipecac - 2) 1,182 m (3,878 ft) + underground shaft,
safety experiment
less than 20 ktVenting detected on site [1] [4] [5] [6] simultaneous, separate holes.
TorridoMay 27, 1969 14:15:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U7w 37°04′30″N115°59′46″W / 37.07506°N 115.99617°W / 37.07506; -115.99617 (Torrido) 1,270 m (4,170 ft)514.72 m (1,688.7 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
22 kt [1] [4] [5] [8] [9]
TapperJune 12, 1969 14:00:00.04 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U3go 37°00′32″N116°01′52″W / 37.00879°N 116.03109°W / 37.00879; -116.03109 (Tapper) 1,181 m (3,875 ft)303 m (994 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
10 ktVenting detected on site [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [8]
Bowl - 1June 26, 1969 16:00:00.13 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2bo1 37°09′45″N116°04′46″W / 37.16244°N 116.07949°W / 37.16244; -116.07949 (Bowl - 1) 1,316 m (4,318 ft)198.12 m (650.0 ft)underground shaft,
weapons development
2 kt [1] [3] [4] [5] simultaneous, separate holes.
Bowl - 2June 26, 1969 16:00:00.13 PST (–8 hrs)
NTS Area U2bo2 37°09′39″N116°04′48″W / 37.16072°N 116.0801°W / 37.16072; -116.0801 (Bowl - 2) 1,315 m (4,314 ft) + underground shaft,
weapons development
3 kt [1] [4] [5] simultaneous, separate holes.
  1. A bomb test may be a salvo test, defined as two or more explosions "where a period of time between successive individual explosions does not exceed 5 seconds and where the burial points of all explosive devices can be connected by segments of straight lines, each of them connecting two burial points and does not exceed 40 kilometers in length". Mikhailov, V. N. "Catalog of World Wide Nuclear Testing". Begell-Atom. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014.
  2. The US, France and Great Britain have code-named their test events, while the USSR and China did not, and therefore have only test numbers (with some exceptions Soviet peaceful explosions were named). Word translations into English in parentheses unless the name is a proper noun. A dash followed by a number indicates a member of a salvo event. The US also sometimes named the individual explosions in such a salvo test, which results in "name1 1(with name2)". If test is canceled or aborted, then the row data like date and location discloses the intended plans, where known.
  3. To convert the UT time into standard local, add the number of hours in parentheses to the UT time; for local daylight saving time, add one additional hour. If the result is earlier than 00:00, add 24 hours and subtract 1 from the day; if it is 24:00 or later, subtract 24 hours and add 1 to the day. Historical time zone data obtained from the IANA time zone database.
  4. Rough place name and a latitude/longitude reference; for rocket-carried tests, the launch location is specified before the detonation location, if known. Some locations are extremely accurate; others (like airdrops and space blasts) may be quite inaccurate. "~" indicates a likely pro-forma rough location, shared with other tests in that same area.
  5. Elevation is the ground level at the point directly below the explosion relative to sea level; height is the additional distance added or subtracted by tower, balloon, shaft, tunnel, air drop or other contrivance. For rocket bursts the ground level is "N/A". In some cases it is not clear if the height is absolute or relative to ground, for example, Plumbbob/John. No number or units indicates the value is unknown, while "0" means zero. Sorting on this column is by elevation and height added together.
  6. Atmospheric, airdrop, balloon, gun, cruise missile, rocket, surface, tower, and barge are all disallowed by the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Sealed shaft and tunnel are underground, and remained useful under the PTBT. Intentional cratering tests are borderline; they occurred under the treaty, were sometimes protested, and generally overlooked if the test was declared to be a peaceful use.
  7. Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and industrial/peaceful, which may be further broken down.
  8. Designations for test items where known, "?" indicates some uncertainty about the preceding value, nicknames for particular devices in quotes. This category of information is often not officially disclosed.
  9. Estimated energy yield in tons, kilotons, and megatons. A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184 gigajoules (1 gigacalorie).
  10. Radioactive emission to the atmosphere aside from prompt neutrons, where known. The measured species is only iodine-131 if mentioned, otherwise it is all species. No entry means unknown, probably none if underground and "all" if not; otherwise notation for whether measured on the site only or off the site, where known, and the measured amount of radioactivity released.

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Operation Tinderbox was a series of 14 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1979–1980 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Quicksilver series and preceded the Operation Guardian series.

Operation Guardian was a series of 14 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1980–1981 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Tinderbox series and preceded the Operation Praetorian series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Storax</span> Series of 1960s US nuclear tests

Operation Storax was a series of 47 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1962–1963 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Fishbowl series and preceded the Operation Roller Coaster series.

The United States's Niblick nuclear test series was a group of 41 nuclear tests conducted in 1963–1964. These tests followed the Operation Roller Coaster series and preceded the Operation Whetstone series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Mandrel</span> Series of 1960s and 1970s US nuclear tests

The United States's Mandrel nuclear test series was a group of 52 nuclear tests conducted in 1969–1970. These tests followed the Operation Bowline series and preceded the Operation Emery series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Emery</span> Series of 1970s US nuclear tests

The United States's Emery nuclear test series was a group of 16 nuclear weapons tests conducted in 1970 and 1971. These tests followed the Operation Mandrel series and preceded the Operation Grommet series.

Operation Quicksilver was a series of 16 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1978–1979 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Cresset series and preceded the Operation Tinderbox series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Sunbeam</span> Series of 1960s US nuclear tests

Operation Sunbeam was a series of four nuclear tests conducted at the United States's Nevada Test Site in 1962. Operation Sunbeam tested tactical nuclear warheads; the most notable was the Davy Crockett.

The United States's Praetorian nuclear test series was a group of 19 nuclear tests conducted in 1981–1982. These tests followed the Operation Guardian series and preceded the Operation Phalanx series.

Operation Fusileer was a series of 16 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1983–1984 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Phalanx series and preceded the Operation Grenadier series.

Operation Grenadier was a series of 16 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1984–1985 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Fusileer series and preceded the Operation Charioteer series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Charioteer</span> Series of 1980s US nuclear tests

Operation Charioteer was a series of 16 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1985–1986 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Grenadier series and preceded the Operation Musketeer series.

The United States's Musketeer nuclear test series was a group of 14 nuclear tests conducted in 1986–1987. These tests followed the Operation Charioteer series and preceded the Operation Touchstone series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Touchstone</span> Series of 1980s US nuclear tests

The United States's Touchstone nuclear test series was a group of 13 nuclear tests conducted in 1987–1988. These tests followed the Operation Musketeer series and preceded the Operation Cornerstone series.

The United States's Cornerstone nuclear test series was a group of 11 nuclear tests conducted in 1988–1989. These tests followed the Operation Touchstone series and preceded the Operation Aqueduct series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Grommet</span> Series of 1970s US nuclear tests

The United States's Grommet nuclear test series was a group of 34 nuclear tests conducted in 1971–1972. These tests followed the Operation Emery series and preceded the Operation Toggle series.

The United States's Arbor nuclear test series was a group of 18 nuclear tests conducted in 1973–1974. These tests followed the Operation Toggle series and preceded the Operation Bedrock series.

The United States's Bedrock nuclear test series was a group of 27 nuclear tests conducted in 1974–1975. These tests followed the Operation Arbor series and preceded the Operation Anvil series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Anvil (nuclear test)</span> Series of 1970s US nuclear tests

Operation Anvil was a series of 21 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1975–1976 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Bedrock series and preceded the Operation Fulcrum series.

Operation Roller Coaster was a series of four nuclear tests conducted jointly by the United States and the United Kingdom in 1963, at the Nevada Test Site. The tests did not involve the detonation of any nuclear weapons. Instead, their purpose was to evaluate the distribution of radioactive particles in a "dirty bomb" scenario, or an inadvertent, non-nuclear detonation of a nuclear weapon, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of storage structures in containing the explosion and the particles released. The tests followed the Operation Storax series and preceded the Operation Niblick series.

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