Nuclear Test Explosions

Historic photographs of nuclear detonations, capturing the large fireballs and smoke clouds during atmospheric testing in Nevada.

Mushroom cloud formed by an atomic bomb explosion

Project 30-65 - Operation Plumbob (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. PRISCILLA detonation: Series of 8 fireball & cloud, ground views (1 of 8). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-65 - Operation Plumbob (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. PRISCILLA detonation: Series of 8 fireball & cloud, ground views (2 of 8). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-7 - Operation Tumbler/Snapper (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. CHARLIE cloud, aerial view. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot/Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. BANDGER fireball, ground view. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-65 - Operation Plumbob (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. WILSON fireball, ground view (1 of 2). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Vintage Photograph. THERMONUCLEAR DETONATION PACIFIC PROVING GROUNDS. Mushroom cloud from a powerful nuclear explosion illuminates the night sky.

Mushroom cloud with ships below during Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons test on Bikini Atoll

Mushroom cloud formed by an atomic bomb explosion

Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot/Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. ENCORE detonation: series of 9 aerial photos showing fireball and cloud (9 of 9). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-65 - Operation Plumbob (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. PRISCILLA fireball & cloud: Series of 9 ground views (4 of 9). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot/Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. CLIMAX fireball, ground view (3 of 3). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Mushroom cloud formed by atomic bomb explosion, Nagasaki, Japan, August 9, 1945

Project 40-11 - Operation Buster/Jangle (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. EASY cloud, aerial view (3 of 3). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Bikini Attol in the Pacific Ocean. Aerial view of the clouds created by the test explosion of an atomic bomb, 1946, Atomic explosion, Historic, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original

The BAKER test of Operation Crossroads, July 25, 1946. Photo shows the dome shaped condensation cloud around the gas bubble of the fireball. (BSLOC_2015_2_3)

Project 30-65 - Operation Plumbob (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. HOOD detonation: Series of 7 fireball & cloud, ground views (4 of 7). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Japan/USA: Nuclear explosion over Hiroshima, 6 August 1945

Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot/Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. SIMON fireball and cloud,g round view, yucca in foreground, series of 5 photos (1 of 5). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

The CHARLIE shot was a 14 kiloton nuclear bomb dropped from a B-50 bomber at Yucca Flat. The test was part of the Buster-Jangle series, at Nevada Proving Grounds. Oct. 30, 1951

Project 23 - Redwing (Enewetak/Bikini) Detonation. Mohawk Fireball, Aerial View. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Atomic Fireball From Control Point -- This is the fireball of the nuclear device which was detonated from a 300-ft tower, as seen from the Nevada Test Site's control point. The shot was fired at 5:20 this morning. Atomic Fireball From Control Point -- This is the fireball of the nuclear device which was detonated from a 300-ft tower, as seen from the Nevada Test Site's control point. The shot was fired at 5:20 this morning. March 12, 1955. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).

Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot/Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. SIMON fireball and cloud,g round view, yucca in foreground, series of 5 photos (3 of 5). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-65 - Operation Plumbob (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. PRISCILLA fireball & cloud: Series of 9 ground views (3 of 9). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

An 1872 albumin stereo photograph showing Mount Vesuvius erupting at 4 p.m., highlighting lava, smoke, and the surrounding landscape.

The BAKER test of Operation Crossroads, July 25, 1946. Seconds after the water column rose, and formed a condensation cloud, it fell back, unleashing a billowing base surge forming a 500 foot high wall of radioactive mist and spray. The area was irradiated beyond all expectations. Nuclear physicist Glenn Seaborg called the BAKER SHOT, a nuclear disaster. (BSLOC_2015_2_8)

Project 21 - Operation Ivy (Enewetak/Bikini) Detonation. Mike Cloud, Aerial View. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 23 - Redwing (Enewetak/Bikini) Detonation. Cherokee Fireball, Aerial View Wilson Cloud (4 of 7). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

The Tsar Bomba AN602, October 30, 1961, Anonymous

Clouds formed by an atomic explosion

Owens Nuclear Test Detonation, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, USA, July 15, 1957

Project 24 - Operation Hardtack (Enewetak/Bikini/Johnnston Island Area) Detonation. UMBRELLA detonation; series of 71 photos from Ikuren Island of burst and base surge (33 of 71). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

150-megaton thermonuclear explosion, Bikini Atoll, l March 1854. Unexpected spread of fallout led to awareness of, and research into, radioactive pollution. UNO photograph.

The Atomic Energy Commission is today largest organizations in the USA with 90,000 ***** ployees and a capital investment which will soon top 7500-million dollars (£A3333 million). The world situation demands secrecy, but secrecy should not be allowed to breed disinterest. AEC chairman ***** Dean gives official ***** questions, prepared by the American ***** progress in specific fields ***** Look also conducted its own ***** conclusions. September 9, 1951. (Photo by Look Magazine).

Hydrogen explosion in the Marshall Islands in the fall of 1952

Project 30-7 - Operation Tumbler/Snapper (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. BAKER cloud, aerial view (2 of 5). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-65 - Operation Plumbob (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. FIZEAU fireball: Series of 3, ground views (2 of 3). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Albumin photograph by Giorgio Sommer capturing the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on April 26, 1872 at 2:30 p.m., showing lava, smoke, and volcanic terrain.

USA/Marshall Islands: Mushroom-shaped cloud and water column from the underwater Baker nuclear explosion of July 25, 1946. Photo taken from a tower on Bikini Island, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) distant

Atomic energy: An explosion of the H-Bomb during testing in the Marshall Islands, 1952.

Project 30-35 - Operation Teapot (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. MET late cloud, ground view. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot/Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. SIMON fireball and cloud,g round view, yucca in foreground, series of 5 photos (4 of 5). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

United States detonating an atomic bomb at Bikini Atoll in Micronesia in the first underwater test of the device, 1946.

Project 23 - Redwing (Enewetak/Bikini) Detonation. Cherokee Fireball, aerial view, Wilson cloud (3 of 7). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-65 - Operation Plumbob (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. KEPLER fireball, ground view. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

An engraving depicting Krakatoa as it appeared before it exploded and was destroyed. Dated 19th century

Project 26 - Operation Dominic (Johnston Island/Christmas Island/Maui, Hawaii) Detonation. Yukon cloud from Christmas Island, observers in foreground. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Vintage Photograph. EARLY ATOMIC TEST IN NEVADA DESERT. Majestic explosion lights up the night sky in a vibrant display of colors.

Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot/Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. SIMON fireball, aerial view (1 of 2). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot/Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. HARRY detonation, fireball and cloud: series of 6 ground view photos (2 of 6). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Stratosphere Balloon Destroyed by Fire -- The blazing balloon surrounded by clouds of black smoke as it came down to earth.Professor Piccard's balloon, in which he was about he make an attempt to rise to the stratosphere by hot air, caught fire while being heated today and was entirely destroyed. The flight was to have been made from Zellich, near Brussels. It was the same one as used by Piccard in 1932. May 25, 1937. (Photo by Keystone).

Project 24 - Operation Hardtack (Enewetak/Bikini/Johnnston Island Area) Detonation. UMBRELLA detonation; series of 71 photos from Ikuren Island of burst and base surge (29 of 71). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Service eruption of Vesuvius in April 4. 1906.

Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot/Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. GRABLE cloud, cannon in foreground. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Welfare photos of Operation Cue Atomic Explosion , Nuclear explosions, Nuclear weapons testing, Civil defense. Records of the Office of Civil Defense and Defense Mobilization

Space shuttle Challenger disaster. Space shuttle exhaust plumes entwined around a ball of gas after a few seconds after the explosion caused by ruptured O-rings. Jan. 28, 1986.

Project 24 - Operation Hardtack (Enewetak/Bikini/Johnnston Island Area) Detonation. WAHOO detonation: series of 69 photos from Kidrenen Island (10 of 69). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 30-65 - Operation Plumbob (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. FIZEAU fireball & cloud: Series of 3 ground view (3 of 3). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 24 - Operation Hardtack (Enewetak/Bikini/Johnnston Island Area) Detonation. WAHOO detonation: series of 69 photos from Kidrenen Island (12 of 69). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Project 24 - Operation Hardtack (Enewetak/Bikini/Johnnston Island Area) Detonation. ELDER fireball/cloud, aerial view. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

A780774 PLANET RANCH, AZ MISER'S BLUFF #1 TAKAHASHI (Project Engineer) JUN 28 78 EG&G/NTS PHOTO LAB Publication Date: 6/28/1978 DUST CLOUDS; EDGERTON, GERMESHAUSEN & GRIER; EG&G; EXPLODING; EXPLOSIONS (MAN-MADE); EXPLOSIVES; MISER'S BLUFF; MISER'S BLUFF #1; NEVADA TEST SITE; NITRO-CARBO-NITRATE; NTS; NUCLEAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY; NUCLEAR SIMULATION TESTING; PLANET RANCH; PLANET RANCH TEST VALLEY; PLANET RANCH, AZ; TEST SITES; TESTING (KNOWLEDGE); TESTS; PLANET RANCH-MISER'S BLUFF #1 historical images. 1972 - 2012. Department of Energy. National Nuclear Security Administration. Photographs Related to Nuclear Weapons Testing at the Nevada Test Site.

A781185 PLANET RANCH, AZ MISER'S BLUFF TAKAHASHI (Project Engineer) AUG 30 77 EG&G/NTS PHOTO LAB Publication Date: 8/30/1978 ARIZONA; DUST; DUST EXPLOSIONS; EDGERTON, GERMESHAUSEN & GRIER; EG&G; EXPLODING; EXPLOSIONS (MAN-MADE); EXPLOSIONS, DUST; EXPLOSIONS, NUCLEAR; MISER'S BLUFF; NTS; NUCLEAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY; NUCLEAR TESTING; NUCLEAR TESTS; PLANET RANCH; SMOKE; TEST SITES; PLANET RANCH, AZ historical images. 1972 - 2012. Department of Energy. National Nuclear Security Administration. Photographs Related to Nuclear Weapons Testing at the Nevada Test Site.

The image shows the exhaust beam after a fired signal rocket. The image shows the exhaust beam after a fired signal rocket.

Project 30-35 - Operation Teapot (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. TESLA fireball, aerial view. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

The first nuclear test, which Oppenheimer designated The Trinity Explosion

Vesuvius Has A New Slape Following Eruption An H.A.P. Picture -- An R.A.F. photographer from a aircraft flying low over Mount Vesuvius, showing the changed shape of the crater after the ***** eruption. All of the old summit of the volume erumbled away in the stressing ***** during the eruption. April 24, 1944. (Photo by Fox Photos).

Hawaii - Kilauea Volcano, Aerial Photograph.

Hamburg, Strumper & Co, Nasmyth, James, Crater des Vesuv, Crater of Vesuvius, recto - printed, photomechanical print, page, photographs, photographically illustrated books, Table II., height 152 mm, width 196 mm, 1808-08-19 - 1890-05-07, photographer, 1864 - 1864, paper, papier, collotype, clichémaker

Vanguard missile exploding on its Cape Canaveral launch pad on December 6, 1957. The failure occurred after the Soviets successful launch of Sputnik 1 , leading to US fears of 'missile gap'.

Project 30-30 - Operation Wigwam (Pacific) Detonation. WIGWAM burst, plume formation. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Boscotrecase destroyed by lava, Vesuvius eruption, Italy, drawing by Riccardo Salvadori, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XXXIII, No 17, April 22, 1906.

Project 24 - Operation Hardtack (Enewetak/Bikini/Johnnston Island Area) Detonation. OAK detonation & cloud from Parry Island, observers in foreground (24 of 34). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

1980 - LGM-30 Minuteman I missile launch from launch facility 06..

Project 30-30 - Operation Wigwam (Pacific) Detonation. WIGWAM burst, plume formation. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

The Cretaceous Paleogene extinction event, which resulted in the deaths of the dinosaurs.

Project 24 - Operation Hardtack (Enewetak/Bikini/Johnnston Island Area) Detonation. UMBRELLA detonation; series of 71 photos from Ikuren Island of burst and base surge (2 of 71). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

A waterspout, a type of tornado that occurs over water. Waterspouts are spinning columns of rising moist air that typically form over warm water. Waterspouts can be as dangerous as tornadoes and can feature wind speeds over 200 kilometers per hour. Many waterspouts form away from thunderstorms and even during relatively fair weather. Waterspouts may be relatively transparent and initially visible only by the unusual pattern they create on the water. The above image was taken in 1969 from an aircraft off the Florida Keys,

Section through the trunk of a Calamariecee of the Carboniferous Formation, vintage engraved illustration. From the Universe and Humanity, 1910.

Hawaii - Kilauea Volcano, Aerial Photograph.

Eruption of Mount Vesuvius; lava covering dwellings. Gouache painting by Mauton, 1834.

A test firing of the Qualification Motor-1 Solid Rocket Motor which will power the Space Launch System and Orion on Artemis I takes place in Promontory, Utah on March 11, 2015. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

Project 30-7 - Operation Tumbler/Snapper (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. BAKER cloud, aerial view (5 of 5). Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

Eruption of Volcano in 1888, vintage engraved illustration. From the Universe and Humanity, 1910.

La Palma (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), November 1971. Eruption of the Teneguía volcano. Volcanologists observe and study the phenomenon protected with helmets.

Eruption of Vesuvius happened in the evening of 22. 8Bre 1822 Sav. Fergola dip. 1822

Apollo l1 Commander Neil A. Armstrong and his wife, Carol, were among the many special NASA STS-83 launch guests who witnessed the liftoff of the Space Shuttle Columbia April 4 at the Banana Creek VIP Viewing Site at KSC. Columbia took off from Launch Pad 39A at 2:20:32 p.m. EST to begin the 16-day Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission

Fireworks on July 14, 1886 in Lyon on the Tilsitt bridge, France. Old illustration from La Nature 1887

Eruption of Vesuvius, April 6, 1906, Italy, photograph from L'Illustration, No 3294, April 14, 1906.

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