Operation Niblick Explained

Operation Niblick
Country:	United States
Test Site:	NTS Area 12, Rainier Mesa NTS, Areas 1–4, 6–10, Yucca Flat
Period:	1963–1964
Number Of Tests:	41
Test Type:	underground shaft
Max Yield:	249ktTNT
Next Series:	Operation Whetstone

The United States's Niblick nuclear test series was a group of 41 nuclear tests conducted in 1963–1964. These tests ^[1] followed the Operation Roller Coaster series and preceded the Operation Whetstone series.

List of the nuclear tests

United States' Niblick series tests and detonations
- !style="background:#ffdead;"	Name ^[2] !style="background:#efefef;"	Date time (UT) !style="background:#ffdead;"	Local time zone^[3] ^[4] !style="background:#efefef;"	Location^[5] !style="background:#ffdead;"	Elevation + height ^[6] !style="background:#efefef;"	Delivery ^[7] Purpose ^[8] !style="background:#efefef;"	Device^[9] !style="background:#ffdead;"	Yield^[10] !style="background:#efefef;" class="unsortable"	Fallout^[11] !style="background:#ffdead;" class="unsortable"	References !style="background:#efefef;" class="unsortable"	Notes	- ! Pekan	23:45:00.13	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3bw 37.0416°N -116.0164°W	1197m (3,927feet) – 302.27m (991.7feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 1.1MCi			- ! Satsop	13:00:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U2g 37.1541°N -116.0776°W	1306m (4,285feet) – 224.94m (737.99feet)	underground shaft, weapons development						- ! Kohocton – 1 (with Natches)	13:20:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9ak 37.1249°N -116.0363°W	1289m (4,229feet) – 254.51m (835.01feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 3kCi			- ! Natches – 2 (with Kohocton)	13:20:00.14	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9ak1 37.1249°N -116.0361°W	1261m (4,137feet) +	underground shaft, weapons development						- ! Ahtanum	13:53:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U2l 37.1633°N -116.0816°W	1320m (4,330feet) – 225.55m (739.99feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 35Ci			- ! Bilby	17:00:00.13	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3on 37.0605°N -116.0224°W	1215m (3,986feet) – 714.3m (2,343.5feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 1Ci			- ! Carp	14:20:00.13	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3cb 37.0373°N -116.0164°W	1193m (3,914feet) – 329.55m (1,081.2feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, 1.1kCi			- ! Narraguagus	17:30:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U2f 37.1547°N -116.0742°W	1302m (4,272feet) – 150.27m (493.01feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 160Ci			- ! Grunion	14:00:00.11	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3bz 37.0374°N -116.022°W	1193m (3,914feet) – 261.31m (857.32feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 4kCi			- ! Tornillo	21:00:00.155	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9aq 37.1187°N -116.0347°W	1267m (4,157feet) – 149.05m (489.01feet)	underground shaft, peaceful research			Venting detected, 520Ci		Plowshare experiment to provide a clean device for excavations.	- ! Clearwater	17:00:00.14	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U12q 37.1981°N -116.2304°W	2233m (7,326feet) – 548.03m (1,798feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 4.6kCi			- ! Mullet	15:00:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U2ag 37.1308°N -116.0678°W	1275m (4,183feet) – 60.35m (198feet)	underground shaft, safety experiment						- ! Shoal	17:00:00.1	PST (–8 hrs)	Fallon, Nevada 39.2001°N -118.3812°W	1603m (5,259feet) – 370m (1,210feet)	underground shaft, joint verification			Venting detected, 110Ci		Project Vela Uniform, investigation of detection of underground testing.	- ! Anchovy	16:00:00.12	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3bq 37.0395°N -116.0191°W	1194m (3,917feet) – 260.25m (853.84feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, less than 230kCi			- ! Mustang	15:00:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9at 37.1323°N -116.0478°W	1257m (4,124feet) – 165.81m (544feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 100Ci			- ! Greys	17:30:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9ax 37.1193°N -116.046°W	1248m (4,094feet) – 300.84m (987.01feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, less than 460Ci			- ! Barracuda – 2 (with Sardine)	16:38:30.13	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3cr 37.0439°N -116.013°W	1202m (3,944feet) – 263.3m (863.8feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, 100Ci		Simultaneous, separate holes.	- ! Sardine – 1 (with Barracuda)	16:38:30.118	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3ch 37.0396°N -116.0301°W	1194m (3,917feet) – 262m (860feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, 30Ci		Simultaneous, separate holes.	- ! Eagle	16:02:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9av 37.131°N -116.0448°W	1254m (4,114feet) – 164.59m (539.99feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected off site, 760Ci			- ! Tuna	15:24:00.13	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3de 37.0528°N -116.0341°W	1203m (3,947feet) – 414.35m (1,359.42feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, less than 0.1Ci			- ! Fore	16:00:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9ao 37.1421°N -116.0501°W	1263m (4,144feet) – 490.42m (1,608.99feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 1.2kCi			- ! Oconto	16:00:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9ay 37.1264°N -116.0372°W	1260m (4,130feet) – 264.69m (868.41feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected off site, 30kCi			- ! Club	16:00:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U2aa 37.1362°N -116.0715°W	1283m (4,209feet) – 180.44m (591.99feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 590Ci			- ! Solendon	15:38:00.12	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3cz 37.0566°N -116.03°W	1206m (3,957feet) – 150.17m (492.68feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, 10Ci			- ! Bunker	15:30:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9bb 37.132°N -116.0333°W	1270m (4,170feet) – 226.77m (744feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, less than 420Ci			- ! Bonefish	15:37:19.12	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3bt 37.0594°N -116.0341°W	1207m (3,960feet) – 300.76m (986.75feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 19Ci			- ! Mackerel	15:37:37.124	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U4b 37.0956°N -116.0516°W	1236m (4,055feet) – 333.71m (1,094.85feet)	underground shaft, weapons development						- ! Klickitat	15:30:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U10e 37.1508°N -116.041°W	1273m (4,177feet) – 492.56m (1,616.01feet)	underground shaft, peaceful research			Venting detected, less than 10Ci		A Plowshare device-development experiment to produce an improved nuclear explosive for excavation applications.	- ! Handicap	15:00:00.01	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9ba 37.13°N -116.0373°W	1261m (4,137feet) – 143.26m (470.01feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, 300Ci			- ! Pike	16:02:00.12	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3cy 37.0504°N -116.0122°W	1211m (3,973feet) – 114.5m (375.7feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected off site, 120kCi		Vented massively for 69 seconds after detonation until quieted by chimney collapse. Possible fault crack.	- ! Hook	14:40:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9bc 37.1289°N -116.0307°W	1276m (4,186feet) – 203.67m (668.21feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, less than 350Ci			- ! Sturgeon	14:30:00.12	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3bo 37.0439°N -116.0191°W	1198m (3,930feet) – 149.77m (491.37feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, 230Ci			- ! Bogey	15:29:52.28	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9au 37.1194°N -116.0348°W	1265m (4,150feet) – 118.84m (389.9feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, less than 60Ci			- ! Turf	20:10:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U10c 37.1498°N -116.0561°W	1272m (4,173feet) – 506.88m (1,662.99feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, less than 200Ci			- ! Pipefish	20:47:00.12	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3co 37.0395°N -116.0274°W	1194m (3,917feet) – 261.92m (859.32feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			I-131 venting detected, 0			- ! Driver	13:00:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9ar 37.1202°N -116.0412°W	1253m (4,111feet) – 148.19m (486.19feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, 37Ci			- ! Backswing	14:40:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9aw 37.1173°N -116.0398°W	1257m (4,124feet) – 163.37m (535.99feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, 37Ci			- ! Minnow	16:15:00.12	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3cv 37.0417°N -116.013°W	1199m (3,934feet) – 241.34m (791.8feet)	underground shaft, weapons development						- ! Ace	16:45:00.15	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U2n 37.1486°N -116.0769°W	1300m (4,300feet) – 262.74m (862.01feet)	underground shaft, peaceful research			Venting detected on site, 9Ci		A Plowshare device-development experiment to produce an improved nuclear explosive for excavation applications.	- ! Bitterling	14:01:00.1	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U3cu 37.0389°N -116.0129°W	1196m (3,924feet) – 192.6m (631.9feet)	underground shaft, weapons development						- ! Duffer	13:30:00.2	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U10ds 37.166°N -116.0393°W	1288m (4,226feet) – 445.71m (1,462.3feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected, less than 41Ci			- ! Fade	13:30:00.14	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U9be 37.1111°N -116.0297°W	1280m (4,200feet) – 205.16m (673.1feet)	underground shaft, weapons development			Venting detected on site, 35Ci			- ! Dub	13:33:00.14	PST (–8 hrs)	NTS Area U10a 37.1743°N -116.0574°W	1282m (4,206feet) – 258.56m (848.29feet)	underground shaft, peaceful research			Venting detected on site, 29Ci		A Plowshare experiment to develop emplacement techniques.

Notes and References

A bomb test may be a salvo test, defined as two or more explosions "where a period of time between successive individual explosions does not exceed 5 seconds and where the burial points of all explosive devices can be connected by segments of straight lines, each of them connecting two burial points and does not exceed 40 kilometers in length". Web site: V. N.. Mikhailov. Catalog of World Wide Nuclear Testing. Begell-Atom. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140426102201/http://www.iss-atom.ru/ksenia/catal_nt/1.htm. April 26, 2014.
The US, France and Great Britain have code-named their test events, while the USSR and China did not, and therefore have only test numbers (with some exceptions - Soviet peaceful explosions were named). Word translations into English in parentheses unless the name is a proper noun. A dash followed by a number indicates a member of a salvo event. The US also sometimes named the individual explosions in such a salvo test, which results in "name1 - 1(with name2)". If test is canceled or aborted, then the row data like date and location discloses the intended plans, where known.
To convert the UT time into standard local, add the number of hours in parentheses to the UT time; for local daylight saving time, add one additional hour. If the result is earlier than 00:00, add 24 hours and subtract 1 from the day; if it is 24:00 or later, subtract 24 hours and add 1 to the day.
Web site: Time Zone Historical Database. iana.com. March 8, 2014.
Rough place name and a latitude/longitude reference; for rocket-carried tests, the launch location is specified before the detonation location, if known. Some locations are extremely accurate; others (like airdrops and space blasts) may be quite inaccurate. "~" indicates a likely pro-forma rough location, shared with other tests in that same area.
Elevation is the ground level at the point directly below the explosion relative to sea level; height is the additional distance added or subtracted by tower, balloon, shaft, tunnel, air drop or other contrivance. For rocket bursts the ground level is "N/A". In some cases it is not clear if the height is absolute or relative to ground, for example, Plumbbob/John. No number or units indicates the value is unknown, while "0" means zero. Sorting on this column is by elevation and height added together.
Atmospheric, airdrop, balloon, gun, cruise missile, rocket, surface, tower, and barge are all disallowed by the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Sealed shaft and tunnel are underground, and remained useful under the PTBT. Intentional cratering tests are borderline; they occurred under the treaty, were sometimes protested, and generally overlooked if the test was declared to be a peaceful use.
Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and industrial/peaceful, which may be further broken down.
Designations for test items where known, "?" indicates some uncertainty about the preceding value, nicknames for particular devices in quotes. This category of information is often not officially disclosed.
Estimated energy yield in tons, kilotons, and megatons. A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184 gigajoules (1 gigacalorie).
Radioactive emission to the atmosphere aside from prompt neutrons, where known. The measured species is only iodine-131 if mentioned, otherwise it is all species. No entry means unknown, probably none if underground and "all" if not; otherwise notation for whether measured on the site only or off the site, where known, and the measured amount of radioactivity released.