Se.
——
purpose of the program was to obtain as complete documentation
as possible of fallout from high-yield thermonuclear detonations
and that the program had been undertaken with the following
objectives:
(1) studying the distribution of radioactivity
in the cloud; (2) collecting and characterizing fallout; (3)
correlating data and extrapolating it to land surfaces.
Colonel Maxwell pointed out that although the data
which he would present were preliminary,
at this point for planning purposes,
they could be used
With the use of slides
depicting charts and maps, Colonel Maxwell then reviewed the
results of the program and commented on their significance.
With regard to the cloud model,
Colonel Maxwell said that
the major percentage of radioactivity had been observed in the
lower part of the cloud and that less than three percent of the
radioactivity had been found in the stem of the cloud.
Also,
he commented on the relatively large size of the particles
which were responsible for the major part of the radioactivity.
Militarily, he observed,
the 100 micron size particle had been
found to be the most significant, because areas in which this
size particle were concentrated would be so radioactive that
evasive action would have to be taken.
Colonel Maxwell showed idealized,
contour charts
surface radioactivity
and idealized charts of the distribution of
radioactivity at various distances.
He then showefl charts
of two test shots and compared them with these idealized charts.
He said it had been concluded that the areas of high intensity
had been predicted to be too high and areas of low intensity
had been predicted to be too low.
Colonel Maxwell concluded his presentation by remarking
that the general areas of radlation intensity and the variation