Underground Nuclear Test Film

Cherokee (3.8 mt) Joined: Jun 14, 2009 Posts: 405

Here are some film's I have found on youtube. I notice there isn't really any underground tests on here in the atomic section.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5jfaXSFfGQ&feature=related
- Seems these are from the 1980's? Definetly have no idea from which operation, as there was so many.

I am curious to know why is there such a lack of video from the underground tests throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s. I would figure those films would be easier to obtain than the atmospsheric testing films. Even the DOE doesn't have any of those available. Sonicbomb, or anyone, why is this, and is it possible to see some more underground footage from the Russians or U.S.?

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:47 am

I don't think there is much to see during an underground shot outside a groundwave and subsidience crater. The instrumentation would tend to be highly classified, all the better for sticking it underground.

The Grommet-Cannikin shot in Alaska in 1971 is probably the most impressive video of an underground shot, with a 5MT predicted yield:

http://www.sonicbomb.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=73

(courtesy of our webmaster!)

Quote:

It was the largest underground nuclear test conducted in the United States, registering 7.0 on the Richter-scale and causing the ground to jump up by 5 meters.

Cherokee (3.8 mt) Joined: Jun 14, 2009 Posts: 405

Ya I realize instrumentation is classified that is pretty obvious, and everyone has seen the "available" Cannikin footage shot by Pan American Airways (Yeah, that's right) a gazallion times. Doesn't answer my question though, but thanks anyways.

Forum Admin Joined: Aug 06, 2006 Posts: 1638 Location: UK

Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:18 pm

do you remember this clip?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1870730456324813920#
I have identified (with google earth) some of the tests:

0:01-0:45 ?
0:45-1:26 800624 Tinderbox Huron King
1:26-2:11 810827 Guardian Isley
2:11-2:54 801114 Guardian Dauphin
2:54-3:37 830803 Phalanx Laban
3:37-4:04 800612 Tinderbox Kash
4:05-4:29 ?
4:29-4:50 840531 Fusileer Caprock

Cherokee (3.8 mt) Joined: Jun 14, 2009 Posts: 405

CBDD wrote:

do you remember this clip?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1870730456324813920#
I have identified (with google earth) some of the tests:

0:01-0:45 ?
0:45-1:26 800624 Tinderbox Huron King
1:26-2:11 810827 Guardian Isley
2:11-2:54 801114 Guardian Dauphin
2:54-3:37 830803 Phalanx Laban
3:37-4:04 800612 Tinderbox Kash
4:05-4:29 ?
4:29-4:50 840531 Fusileer Caprock

Yes this video is film, where did it come from? there has to be mroe somewhere. i wonder if they had the technology to somehow film the explosion underground.

Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:58 am

Absolutely yes, the technology to film underground tests has existed, but I digress to my original reply.... maybe in the future we will get to view declassified footage, just as we get to see stuff now that was in some cases locked up since filmed in the 1950's. I am willing to bet that the visual spectrum footage will be very unimpressive compared to above ground shots.

All bets are off when it comes to non-visible (to the human eye) footage, based on the incredible scenes we are offered by the various world Space Agencies that are for the most part synthesized from data files, and/or hybrid CGI visualizations of combinations of data, visual spectra, IR, UV, and X-rays.

Bottom line IMHO- we are not going to get to see any actual footage of underground weapon events like the ones that revolutionman is seeking any time soon, and the closest thing that we may be able to actually get a look at is civilian fusion experiment footage - the Livermore laser compression tests are probably the pick of the litter with that regard.

Cherokee (3.8 mt) Joined: Jun 14, 2009 Posts: 405

Yes I agree actual underground footage will probably not see the light. Maybe more of the above ground film of these underground tests will emerge, I am surprised there is not more considered the use of VHS and BETA tape in the 70's and 80's, as well as the number of operations conducted.

Which operation are those multiple tests from the previous film from, I haven't really looked myself.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:22 pm

charioteer jefferson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE3Z1P60nD8