Operation Plowshare and Project Sedan
In the 1950s and 60s, the Nevada desert became a testing ground for nuclear detonations under Operation Plowshare, aimed at finding peaceful uses for nuclear energy. One such experiment, Project Sedan, took place on July 6, 1962, creating a crater nearly 1,280 feet in diameter.
The Largest Man-Made Crater in the U.S.
The Sedan Crater, a result of a 104-kiloton explosion, displaced over 12 million tons of earth, making it the largest man-made crater in the United States. The blast sent a mushroom cloud 12,000 feet into the air, spreading radioactive dust across several states.
Unintended Effects
Originally intended to demonstrate excavation techniques, the Sedan blast and similar tests revealed the challenges of containing radioactive fallout. Though no longer in active use, the Nevada Test Site is still monitored for radioactivity and remains closed to the public.
In the 1950s and 60s, the Nevada desert became a testing ground for nuclear detonations under Operation Plowshare, aimed at finding peaceful uses for nuclear energy. One such experiment, Project Sedan, took place in 1962, creating a crater nearly 1,280 feet in diameter. 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/9r9rTctaso
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) November 8, 2024