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 eeey 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 ia eee a cr co one-third of the volume being spread woridwide.*? This resulted in a diminution of the amount of sunlight received on the ground."# 26