in Figs. 2 and 3.

The theoretical curve is based on fission

products from slow neutron fission and the assumptions that
there is no fractionation and that the radionuclides are distributed over an infinite plane, while at Rongelap measurable

amounts of activity remained on the trees.

The actual measure-

ments fit closely to the theoretical decay curve for Rongelap

islet and at least for the first four years after fallout at
Kabelle islet in spite of the assumptions made in determining
the theoretical curve and the variability of the field measurements.

The measurements on one small islet may vary by a

.

factor of more than three, even when the identical instrument

is used by the same person.
Decline following first storm

About two weeks after initial contamination there was
a storm with heavy rain, and a subsequent reduction in gamma
dose rate somewhat greater than would have been expected on
a theoretical pasis!2"4),

(Fig. 2).

Fallout in 1956 and 1958

The rises in gamma dose rates in 1956 and 1958 were due
to operations Redwing and Hardtack.

Even though there was a

measurable amount of contamination, as was seen by the shortlived radionuclides present and by following the beta decay

rates in plants collected in 1958, the total contribution was
mn

VT

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