Operation Storax
Series of 1960s US nuclear tests
title: "Operation Storax" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["explosions-in-1962", "explosions-in-1963", "nevada-test-site-nuclear-explosive-tests", "1962-in-military-history", "1963-in-military-history", "1962-in-nevada", "1963-in-nevada", "1962-in-the-environment", "1963-in-the-environment"] description: "Series of 1960s US nuclear tests" topic_path: "history" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Storax" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Series of 1960s US nuclear tests ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox nuclear weapons test"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Operation Storax |
| picture | [[File:Storax_Sedan.gif |
| picture_description | Storax Sedan |
| country | United States |
| test_site | {{plainlist |
| period | 1962–1963 |
| number_of_tests | 47 |
| test_type | cratering, underground shaft, tunnel |
| max_yield | 115 ktTNT |
| previous_series | Operation Fishbowl |
| next_series | Operation Roller Coaster |
| :: |
|name = Operation Storax |picture = [[File:Storax_Sedan.gif|300px]] |picture_description = Storax Sedan |country = United States |test_site = {{plainlist|
- NTS Area 12, Rainier Mesa
- NTS, Areas 1–4, 6–10, Yucca Flat}} |period = 1962–1963 |number_of_tests = 47 |test_type = cratering, underground shaft, tunnel |max_yield = 115 ktTNT |previous_series = Operation Fishbowl |next_series = Operation Roller Coaster
Operation Storax was a series of 47 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1962–1963 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Fishbowl series and preceded the Operation Roller Coaster series.
British tests
Some accounts include the second British nuclear weapons test at the Nevada Test Site, shot Tendrac, as part of Storax. See British nuclear testing in the United States for more details.
Tests
::data[format=table title="United States' Storax series tests and detonations"] | Name 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. | Date time (UT) | Local time zoneTo 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. Historical time zone data obtained from the IANA time zone database. | LocationRough 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 + height 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. | Delivery 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. Purpose Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and industrial/peaceful, which may be further broken down. | DeviceDesignations 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. | YieldEstimated energy yield in tons, kilotons, and megatons. A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184 gigajoules (1 gigacalorie). | FalloutRadioactive 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. | References | Notes | *Sedan*Sedan | MerrimacMerrimac | WichitaWichita | YorkYork | BobacBobac | RaritanRaritan | HyraxHyrax | PebaPeba | AlleghenyAllegheny | MississippiMississippi | RoanokeRoanoke | WolverineWolverine | TiogaTioga | BandicootBandicoot | SanteeSantee | St. LawrenceSt. Lawrence | GundiGundi | AnacostiaAnacostia | TauntonTaunton | MadisonMadison | NumbatNumbat | ManateeManatee | CasselmanCasselman | HatchieHatchie | AcushiAcushi | FerretFerret | ChipmunkChipmunk | KaweahKaweah | CarmelCarmel | JerboaJerboa | ToyahToyah | GerbilGerbil | Ferret PrimeFerret Prime | CoypuCoypu | CumberlandCumberland | KootanaiKootanai | PaisanoPaisano | Gundi PrimeGundi Prime | HarkeeHarkee | TejonTejon | StonesStones | PleasantPleasant | YubaYuba | HutiaHutia | ApshapaApshapa | MatacoMataco | KennebecKennebec | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 17:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U10h | 1325 m–190 m | cratering, peaceful research | W56 | | Venting detected off site, 15 MCi | | 2nd Plowshare test, cratering experiment, TN device similar to Dominic Bluestone and Swanee, 12 million tons of soil displaced, crater was 1280 x. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bd | 1205 m–413.31 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected on site, 22 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 21:00:00.16 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9y | 1265 m–150.27 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected on site, 760 Ci | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9z | 1256 m–226.47 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 120 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:00:00.13 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bl | 1199 m–206.03 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | I-131 venting detected, 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:00:00.16 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9u | 1254 m–157.28 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 1.2 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:10:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bh | 1197 m–216.69 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | I-131 venting detected, 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:00:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bb | 1205 m–241.38 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9x | 1271 m–210.92 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected on site, 1.5 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:00:00.16 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9ad | 1264 m–493.78 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 4.9 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15:00:00.16 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9q | 1252 m–154.53 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected on site, 1.2 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:00:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3av | 1200 m–73.43 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected on site, less than 100 Ci | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9f | 1254 m–59.44 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18:00:00.08 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bj | 1195 m–241.3 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected off site, 3 MCi | | Yield was higher than expected, leading to a containement failure and venting as the stemming plan anticipated a lower yield. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U10f | 1270 m–319.43 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 4 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18:00:00.16 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U2b | 1309 m–166.42 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected on site, 6 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:30:00.08 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bm | 1195 m–241.44 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18:00:00.14 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9i | 1274 m–227.69 m | underground shaft, peaceful research | | | Venting detected on site, 6.8 kCi | | 3rd Plowshare test, device development, accidental release of radioactivity detected on site only. Designed to produce heavy isotopes and provide radioachemical analysis data for Coach. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9aa | 1256 m–227.84 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 4 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:25:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U12g.01 | 2252 m–245.36 m | tunnel, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 20 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18:45:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bu | 1201 m–231.95 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | I-131 venting detected, 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18:00:00.16 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9af | 1254 m–58.52 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 1.8 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:00:00.16 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U10g | 1268 m–302.97 m | underground shaft, weapons development | title = Proceedings of the Special Projects Office, Task II - Monitor and Sponsor the Fleet Ballistic Missile Development Program, 36th Meeting, 21, 22 March 1963| accessdate = 2022-06-15| date = 1963-03-21| url = https://nsarchive.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/proceedings-of-the-special-projects-office-task-ii-monitor-and-sponsor-the-fleet-ballistic-missile-development-program-36th-meeting-21-22-march-1963.pdf| page = 35-36| archive-date = June 18, 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150618125347/https://nsarchive.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/proceedings-of-the-special-projects-office-task-ii-monitor-and-sponsor-the-fleet-ballistic-missile-development-program-36th-meeting-21-22-march-1963.pdf| url-status = live}} | | Venting detected, 6.3 kCi | | Part of the test was to determine warhead tritium requirements for a 4 year service life. The Y2 version of the W47 used a delta-plutonium pit to increase the weapon's resistance to hostile neutron effects. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:00:01.15 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9e | 1256 m–60.96 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18:30:00.14 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bg | 1199 m–260.87 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18:30:00.13 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bf | 1208 m–325.69 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:00:00.13 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3ay | 1201 m–59.38 m | underground shaft, safety experiment | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19:47:00.14 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9ab | 1249 m–227.08 m | underground shaft, peaceful research | | | Venting detected, 40 kCi | | 4th Plowshare test, device development. Designed to produce heavy isotopes and provide radioachemical analysis data for Coach. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19:47:08.63 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U2h | 1311 m–163.37 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 7.2 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19:00:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3at | 1197 m–301.16 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:22:53.14 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9ac | 1252 m–130.76 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 1.2 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15:49:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bp | 1196 m–279.5 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:52:00.13 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3by | 1193 m–241.55 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:01:30.12 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3af | 1201 m–74.6 m | underground shaft, safety experiment | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:03:00.16 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U2e | 1299 m–227.08 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 8.5 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:09:30.141 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9w | 1261 m–181.97 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected on site, 410 Ci | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:09:30.142 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9w1(wi?) | 1261 m–56.69 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | I-131 venting detected, 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18:19:00 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3db | 1205 m–271.73 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14:55:00.0 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bv | 1200 m–241.42 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14:55:00.0 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3cg | 1199 m–74.6 m | underground shaft, safety experiment | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15:40:00.14 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9ae | 1257 m–394.72 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected, 5.8 kCi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15:03:30.16 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9ah | 1253 m–210.31 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected on site, 760 Ci | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17:00:00.12 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U12b.10 | 2240 m–242.41 m | tunnel, weapons development | | | Venting detected off site, 110 Ci | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14:00:00.13 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bc | 1198 m–134.57 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16:58:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U9ai | 1254 m–89.92 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected on site, 4 Ci | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14:10:00.13 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U3bk | 1200 m–195.56 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 23:00:00.15 | PST (–8 hrs) | NTS Area U2af | 1276 m–226.16 m | underground shaft, weapons development | | | Venting detected on site, 30 Ci | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::
References
References
- (3 July 1963). "Memo to Distribution, Subject: Interim Off-Site and Rad-Safe Reports for the Anacostia, Tendrac, Madison, and Numbat Events, Storax".
- "Time Zone Historical Database". iana.com.
- J Carothers. (1 June 1995). "Caging the dragon: the containment of underground nuclear explosions". Department of Energy and the Defence Nuclear Agency.
- (1963-03-21). "Proceedings of the Special Projects Office, Task II - Monitor and Sponsor the Fleet Ballistic Missile Development Program, 36th Meeting, 21, 22 March 1963".
- (August 2000). "CMR Nuclear Explosion Database (Revision 3)". SMDC Monitoring Research.
- Hansen, Chuck. (1995). "The Swords of Armageddon, Vol. 8". Chukelea Publications.
- Bolt, Bruce A.. (1976). "Nuclear Explosions and Earthquakes: The Parted Veil". W.H. Freeman and Co..
- (August 1996). "Radiological Effluents Released from U.S. Continental Tests 1961 Through 1992 (DOE/NV-317 Rev. 1)". DOE Nevada Operations Office.
- (1997). "Estimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from Iodine-131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests, Chapter 2". National Cancer Institute.
- Sublette, Carey. "Nuclear Weapons Archive".
- (December 1, 2000). "United States Nuclear Tests: July 1945 through September 1992". Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office.
- (July 1, 1994). "Official list of underground nuclear explosions". Sandia National Laboratories.
- (1982). "Operation Argus, 1958". Defense Nuclear Agency, Department of Defense.
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