72 years ago today, the first ever US underwater nuclear explosion -- test Baker -- was conducted
Here is how and why the Baker atomic bomb was detonated in Bikini Atoll 72 years ago today.
On July 25, 1946, the US navy conducted world's first underwater nuclear explosion, using the Baker atomic bomb. This bomb was detonated at Bikini Atoll (in the Marshall Islands), and was the fifth of over 2000 nuclear explosions conducted till date.
This explosion was conducted in the Pacific Ocean and the main purpose of it was to see the effects and monitor the damage it does to ships and submarines.
Around two-third of these explosions were set to take place underground and the rest were in the atmosphere, apart from the couple of nuclear explosions set in outer space.
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How was this test done?
The Baker device, which yielded energy amounting up to 23 kilotons, was suspended under a ship around 30 meters below the sea level.
- The design of the bomb was similar to the one used in the Nagasaki explosion
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- Apart from checking the impact of this test on ships, they wanted to test its effects on the animal life present underwater
This test was part of 'Operation Crossroads' which involved 42,000 personnel, 242 ships, 156 airplanes, and the relocation of 162 residents of the Bikini Atoll.
Effects of this explosion
After the explosion took place, the whole area was contaminated with radiations and was deemed inhospitable for any living beings.
Some of the immediate effects of the experiment were:
- Almost all of the pigs and rats on the ships died due to the explosion or the exposure to radiation
- Eight of the 57 vessels sunk immediately after the explosion
- Eight of the ships were seriously damaged
Most of the ships were contaminated with radiation even after decontamination efforts like spraying or scrubbing the decks.
- Some of the ships had to be subsequently sunk due to radiation exposure
About half-a-century later, in 1997, the International Atomic Energy Agency conducted studies about the condition of Bikini Atoll and said that due to radiation exposure, the area is still uninhabitable.
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