Atomic Craters and Bedforms in Bikini: Detailed Geomorphic Signatures of the Seabed

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Mapping Crossroads: Archaeological and High Resolution Documentation of Nuclear Test Submerged Cultural Resources at Bikini Atoll" , at the 2020 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

From 1946 to 1958 a series of 22 atomic bombs were tested throughout Bikini atoll resulting in a series of anthropogenic craters around the atoll. Now 61 years later, questions remain about what evidence remains for these tests and how human induced craters may differ compared to naturally formed ones. In June 2019, a set of comprehensive geophysical mapping investigations focused on 4 test sites including the Able and Baker tests of Operation Crossroads (1946) and the Castle Bravo and Castle Romeo tests of 1954. Results indicate that there is no seabed evidence of the Able test (21KT aerial explosion), while the Baker test (21 KT subaqueous explosion) crater remains visible on the seabed 73 years later. A subsequent mapping effort uncovered the clear signature of two adjacent blast craters from the Castle Bravo (15MT) and Romeo (11MT) tests, forming a larger single composite crater revealed for the first time.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Mapping Crossroads: Archaeological and High Resolution Documentation of Nuclear Test Submerged Cultural Resources at Bikini Atoll   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2020

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 797