Sedan (nuclear test)

The Sedan nuclear test was a 104-kiloton nuclear test conducted on July 6, 1962, as part of Operation Plowshare, a United States program designed to explore the use of nuclear weapons for peaceful purposes, such as large-scale excavation and other earth-moving activities. The test took place at the Nevada Test Site (Area 10) and created a large crater, known as the Sedan Crater, which is approximately 1,280 feet (390 m) in diameter and 320 feet (98 m) deep.

The Sedan test was intended to demonstrate the feasibility of using nuclear explosions for civilian engineering projects, specifically the creation of harbors and canals. However, the test also resulted in significant radioactive fallout, which spread across a wide area of the United States. It is estimated that the Sedan test was responsible for a substantial portion of the total radiation exposure received by the U.S. population from all nuclear tests conducted at the Nevada Test Site.

Due to the significant radiation hazards and the increasing awareness of the environmental and health risks associated with nuclear explosions, Operation Plowshare was eventually discontinued. The Sedan Crater remains a prominent feature of the Nevada Test Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Access to the crater is restricted due to the residual radiation levels. The Sedan test serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers and ethical considerations involved in the use of nuclear technology.