DescripciónAEC-62-6744 CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO. . .A huge cavity was created l,200 feet underground in a salt bed 28 miles southeast of Carlsbad by the Gnome detonation on December 10, l961 in the first experiment in peaceful uses for nuclear explosives. The roughly hemispheric cavity measuring 160-170 feet in diameter (larger than the base of the dome of the U.S. Capitol building) and 60-80 feet high {equivalent to a 7-8 story building) was formed by a nuclear detonation with a yield of about three kilotons {equal to 300 tons of TNT). Entry to the cavity was made May 17, 1962, through an underground tunnel excavated parallel to the original one. Temperatures up to 130 degrees F. were recorded. Although some "hot spots" of radiation were found, the general level was from 50-60 milliroentgens (mr) per hour. The current radiation level in the cavity is 5-15 milliroentgens per hour. The experiment, designed to provide information on five technical objectives, was conducted for the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission by the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Livermore, California. The cavity and Gnome related workings are in a standby condition. Preliminary work for Project Coach, a heavy element production experiment, is currently underway at the site. This is view toward the top of the cavity created by the Gnome shot. Note the stalactites and size of man standing in center of cavity. Credit Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Livermore
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