Operation «Crossroads»: unique pictures of the atomic bomb tests

More than 66 years ago, the Americans carried the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, the purpose of which was to test the effects of nuclear weapons on naval ships. Testing consisted of a series of two explosions.

The capacity of each of the explosions was 23 kilotons. They were the fourth and fifth explosions in the history of American test after test site in Alamogordo and the bombing of Japan. At the same time, "Operation Crossroads" is the first vowel of nuclear operations in US history. All 167 residents of Bikini Atoll were relocated to an uninhabited atoll Rongerik, 200 kilometers from the place of explosion. The blast radius were 95 ships. Conducted the bombings did uninhabited atoll of Bikini in the long term. Only three years ago, it was considered suitable for life. Able explosion was carried in the air at an altitude of 158 meters, and the explosion Baker - under water. The bomb was attached to the bottom of the destroyer. The second explosion caused a lot more damage. Both bombs were dropped analogues bomb on Nagasaki. Top view of the explosion of Abel.





Explosion Baker.















The sequence of the explosion.











For dessert - a video of the explosion Baker.