C. WEATHER
Background Information
Interest in the possible effects of nuclear detonations on the
weatherfall into two classes; one, direct effects because of the
energy released, and two, triggering effects. The latter effects
might be (a) a catalytic effect from the particles thrown into
the atmosphere (something akin to cloud seeding with silver
iodide crystals), (b) a change in the electrical conductivity of
the air since radioactive debris contains charged particles, and
(c) a reduction of solar energy received on earth owing to the
quantity of dust thrown into the atmosphere.
The Data
The conclusions of many studies and experiments of these
possible effects are best presented in reference:#!
1“... The energy of even a thermonuclear explosion is small when compared to most large-scale
weather processes.
Moreover, it is known that much
of this energy is expended in ways that cannot directly
affect the atmosphere. Even the fraction of the energy
which is directly added to the atmosphere is added
in a rather inefficient manner from the standpoint
of affecting the weather. Meteorologists and others
acquainted with the problem are readily willing to
dismiss the possibility that the energy released by
the explosions can have any important direct effect
on the weather processes...”
2. “... The debris which has been thrown up into
the atmosphere by past detonations was found to be
ineffective as a cloud-seeding ayent...”
3. “. .. The amount of ionization produced by the
radioactive material is insignificant in affecting general
atmospheric conditions .. .”
4, *
Dust thrown into the air by past volcano
eruptions decreased the direct solar radiation received
at the ground by as much as 10-20 percent. The
contamination of the atmosphere by past nucleartests
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has not produced any measurable decrease in the
amount of direct sunlight received at the earth’s
surface. There is a possibility that a series of explosions designed for the maximum efficiency in
throwing debris into the upper atmosphere might
significantly affect the radiation received at the
ground...”
The volume of material ejected by Krakatoa voleanic eruption
in 1883 was approximately 13 cubic miles with an estimated
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one-third of the volume being spread woridwide.*? This resulted in a diminution of the amount of sunlight received on the
ground."#
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