Science: Fallout from Cannikin

The Atomic Energy Commission's announcement that it planned to test a multimegaton nuclear device under the Aleutian island of Amchitka last November touched off a shock wave of protest. Some critics charged that the explosion of an H-bomb in a region that was already known to be seismically active could trigger devastating quakes and the great sea waves, known as tsunamis, that often follow them. Environmentalists made dire predictions of a wildlife massacre. Nonetheless, the test took place, and it did not cause serious tremors or lasting environmental damage. Instead, after months of...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!