Rainier Mesa is one of four major nuclear test regions within the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). [1] It occupies approximately 40 square miles (100 km2) along the northern edge of the NNSS and corresponds to Area 12. [1] [2]
The Rainier Mesa area consists of both Rainier Mesa proper and the contiguous Aqueduct Mesa. [3]
At 7,680 feet (2,340 m), the top of Rainier Mesa is the highest elevation within the NNSS. [2]
Nuclear testing
Area 12 held 61 nuclear tests between 1957 and 1992, one of which involved two detonations. [1] All tests were conducted below Rainier and Aqueduct mesas. [3]
Area 12 was the primary location for tunnel tests and used almost exclusively for that purpose. [nb 1] The tunnel complexes mined into Rainier and Aqueduct Mesa include the B-, C-, D-, E-, F-, G-, I-, J-, K-, N-, P-, and T-tunnel complexes, and Q- and R- shafts. [2]
There has been some concern that Rainier Mesa is exhibiting signs of tired mountain syndrome, due to the number of nuclear detonations that have occurred at the site. [4]
Current activities
The Area 12 Camp was renovated and upgraded and provides a secure base camp for military units and other government agencies for conducting counter-terrorism and other exercises in the northern region of the NNSS. It provides an urban terrain setting utilizing existing commercial, residential, and industrial buildings. The camp includes 200 dormitory rooms, a cafeteria, weapons and munitions storage, and numerous operations and support buildings. [2] The Office of Secure Transportation uses it as a training facility. [2] [5]
Notes
References
- ^ a b c d U.S. Department of Energy / Nevada Operations Office, United States Nuclear Tests - July 1945 through September 1992, December 2000, DOE/NV-209 Rev 15 Archived 2006-10-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office, Draft Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement Nevada, ch.2, July 2011, DOE/EIS-246-D Archived 2011-10-18 at the Wayback Machine
- ^
a
b U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Nevada Site Office (December 2004).
"Corrective Action Investigation Plan for Corrective Action Unit 99: Rainier Mesa/Shoshone Mountain, Nevada Test Site, Nevada".
doi:
10.2172/838783.
{{ cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=( help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( link) - ^ The Containment of Underground Nuclear Explosions (PDF), U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, October 1989, p. 51, LCCN 89-600707, OTA-ISC-414, retrieved 2017-11-01 ( Full Document)
- ^ Knapp, George (2008-11-07). "I-Team: The Road Warriors, Part 2". Retrieved 2008-11-10.
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