By CHICK KELLER
Los Alamos
In response to Terry Wallace’s recent article about previous underground testing of nuclear weapons (link), I’d like to first support his complete opposition to any atmospheric testing. I suspect President Trump isn’t serious, but is merely trying to scare other countries into cessation of any nuclear testing.
I recall the disaster of the Baneberry underground test that broke through and emitted radioactive material to the atmosphere.
I was a junior scientist working on determining how to contain the very first moments of underground tests. Soon after that Los Alamos was to test a similar and perhaps worrisome test called Cowles. It had a particularly curious performance that might possibly not be able to be contained. Our then Division Leader, Bill Ogle, tasked us to be certain the first phases were secure.
I worried out loud because the test was already underground. He brushed that aside and said (it was Friday), “On Monday, if you tell me you aren’t certain it would stay underground, I’ll dig it up!” So Jose Cortez and I worked all weekend long, running containment computer codes that simulated the performance of early containment. Early Monday morning, about 4 a.m., we got our answer that it would most probably contain, and at 8 a.m. we told Ogle so.
Then Cowles was set off and, when it contained, we rejoiced including a big champagne party! What a hangover! But that was how serious we were about no radio activity getting above ground. So you can see why people like us and Terry are so dead set against any testing in the atmosphere.