Database of radiological incidents and related events--Johnston's Archive
Novaya Zemlya nuclear test, 1969
compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last modified 24 February 2006
Date:
14 October 1969
Location:
Matochkin Shar, Novaya Zemlya, Russia, USSR
Type of event:
accidental radioactive release from underground nuclear test
Description:
At 07:00 UT on 14 October an underground nuclear test was conducted at the Matochkin Shar region in Novaya Zemlya. Three devices were detonated in two tunnels with a total yield of 540 kt: one device yielding between 20 and 150 kt along with one device yielding between 150 and 370 kt in tunnel A-7, at a depth of 500 meters; and one device yielding between 150 and 370 kt in tunnel A-9 at a depth of 520 meters. About one hour after the test a gas plume burst from the surface near tunnel A-9. Factors in the early venting included reaction with carbon dioxide in the surrounding rocks, thermal weakening of the cement plug around the nuclear device, and gas escape facilitated along a fault to the side of the mountain. Several hundred test personnel were in the vicinity and were not evacuated until 40 to 60 minutes later; the response to the accident was confused, compounded by the early departure of those in authority. On 24 October those more seriously exposed were transported to Moscow for examination and treatment. Over 80 people received doses of 40 to 80 rad.
Consequences:
Unknown number of injuries.
References:
- Adushkin, Vitaly V., and William Leith, Sept. 2001, "The containment of Soviet underground nuclear explosions," USGS Open File Report 01-312, on line, USGS [http://geology.er.usgs.gov/eespteam/pdf/USGSOFR01312.pdf].
- Cochran, Thomas B., William M. Arkin, Robert S. Norris, and Jeffrey I. Sands, Nuclear Weapons Databook Vol. IV: Soviet Nuclear Weapons, Harper and Row (New York, NY).
- IAEA, Dec. 2004, "Nuclear explosions in the USSR: The North Test Site reference material, version 4," IAEA Dept. of Nuclear Safety and Security, on line [http://www-ns.iaea.org/downloads/rw/waste-safety/north-test-site-final.pdf]
- Khalturin, Vitaly I., Tatyana G. Rautian, Paul G. Richards, and William S. Leith, 2005, "A review of nuclear testing by the Soviet Union at Novaya Zemlya, 1955-1990," Science and Global Security, 13:1-42.
- Podvig, Pavel, ed., 2001, Russian Strategic Forces, MIT Press (Cambridge, MA).
- RFNC-VNIIEF, 1996, USSR Nuclear Weapons Tests and Peaceful Nuclear Explosions 1949 through 1990, RFNC-VNIIEF (Sarov, Russia), on line at Analytic Center for Non-Proliferation Problems [http://npc.sarov.ru/english/issues/peaceful/peaceful_e.pdf].
- Won-Young Kim, Paul G. Richards, Vitaly Adushkin, and Vladimir Ovtchinnikov, April 2001, "Borovoye digital seismogram archive for underground nuclear tests during 1966-1996," LDEO, on line [http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/Monitoring/Data/Brv_arch_ex/brv_text_table.pdf].
- Yang, Xiaoping, Robert North, and Carl Romney, Aug. 2000, "CMR Nuclear Explosion Database (Revision 3)," on line, SMDC Monitoring Research [http://www.rdss.info/database/nucex/report/explosion.pdf].
© 2006 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 24 February 2006.
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