Home > Nuclear Weapons > Nevada Test Site Map > Area 3

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"Shundahai" is a Newe (Western Shoshone) word meaning
"Peace and Harmony with All Creation"
 

 

Area 30 Area 3 — This portion of the Nuclear Test Zone occupies 82 km2 (32 mi2) near the center of the Yucca Flat weapons test basin and was the site of 17 atmospheric tests conducted between 1952 and 1958.

A total of 251 underground nuclear tests were conducted in Area 3 from 1958 through 1992. This is the largest number of tests of any of the NTS underground test areas. A number of these tests consisted of simultaneous device detonations, and nearly all of these simultaneous tests consisted of single devices in separate emplacement holes. This bring the total number of detonatings to 288

Nine of the underground nuclear tests in Area 3 were conducted in unstemmed holes to minimize, but not eliminate, the release of radioactivity to the atmosphere. These unique tests were carried out between mid-1957 and late 1958.

This is an arial view of DOE's Area 3 Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal site. The site is located in Yucca Flat in the north eastern part of the NTS.

The disposal cells are comprise four subsidence craters (U-3ax, U-3bl,U-3ah, and U-3at) that were caused by underground nuclear tests. The site is used for disposal of bulk and packaged Low-Level defense waste. Originally, the site was used for disposal of contaminated waste generated from the NTS atmospheric testing program.Also see ground view of waste dump photo.(opens in new window, close to return)

Bulk low-level waste is disposed of in selected Area 3 subsidence craters that, collectively, comprise the Area 3 Radioactive Waste Management Site. This activity commenced in the mid-1960s when the DOE began removing scrap tower steel, vehicles, and other large objects that had been subjected to atmospheric testing

From 1979 to 1990, large amounts of contaminated soil and other debris from the NTS were added to the craters. There are seven disposal craters. Two craters are in use, two are full and temporarily capped, and three are in reserve for potential future use

Total number of Nuclear Tests 266 and Detonations 288 having occurred Area 3 , according to United States Nuclear Tests July 1945 through September 1992 DOE/NV--209-REV 15 December 2000 which may view here, but the document only lists the following tests as having occurred Area 3, other are tests are listed by hole or shaft number and am still working on updating this list.

Test Number Name Date Sponsor Remarks Photo
29 George 2 06/01/1952 LANL Operation Tumbler-Snapper
George 2 nuclear test
33 Annie 03/17/1953 LANL Operation Upshot-Knothole
Annie nuclear test
41 Harry 05/19/1953 LANL Operation Upshot-Knothole 32kt
Harry nuclear test
51 Moth 02/22/1955 LANL Operation Teapot 2kt
Moth nuclear test
54 Hornet 03/12/1955 LANL Operation Teapot 4kt
Hornet nuclear test
88 Franklin 06/02/1957 LANL Operation Plumbbob 4.7kt
Franklin nuclear test
92
 Coulomb-A 07/01/1957 LANL Operation Plumbbob
Radioactivity not detected offsite		  
108 Coulomb-B 09/06/1957 LANL Operation Plumbbob  
110 Fizeau 09/14/1957 LANL Operation Plumbbob 11kt
Fizeau nuclear test
117 Coulomb-C 12/09/1957 LANL Operation Project 58 - S3i  
176 Rio Arriba 10/18/1958 LANL Operation Hardtack II  
182 Catron 10/24/1958 LANL Operation Hardtack II  
187 Chaves (Chavez) 10/27/1958 LANL Operation Hardtack II  
189 Humboldt 10/29/1958 LLNL/DoD Operation Hardtack II