Categorization of NTS Nuclear Tests
PlacementCriterion
(this document)
Containment Design Criterion
{sometimes used in public discussion)
A. Atmospheric
A. to
Aboveground -- NTS
Aboveground -- Bombing Range
100
5
Aboveground
Subtotal (Atmospheric)
105
Subtotal
B.
ndergroun
Shaft -- Unstemmed Hole
Crater
Shaft -- Shallow Buried
9
535
Subtotal (Underground)
621
Total
ign
9
10
124
Ntain
%
1“
Shaft -- Stemmed
Tunnel
Unstemmed Hole
Crater
B.
9
105
67
726
Shaft
535
Subtotal
602
Total
726
Tunnel
67
(1) Consists of 84 weaponsrelated or weaponseffects tests and 16 safety tests.
(2) Consists of 4 storage-transportation tests and 1 safety test.
(3) Nine events were conducted underground in unstemmed holes to minimize, but not eliminate, the release of radioactivity to the atmosphere.
Because incandescent gases were released, these tests are sometimes referred to as “Roman candles.”
{4} Ten tests were designed to be cratering tests, hence not designed to be contained. Event named Sulky, conducted on December 18, 1964,
failed to produce the expected crater, but because placement wasin a shaft, albeit shatlow,it is listed in this document as a shaft test.