Nuclear Tests: Science, Power, and Consequences

The first nuclear test, Trinity in 1945, marked humanity’s entry into the atomic age.
Over 2,000 nuclear tests have been conducted worldwide since then.
Early tests were atmospheric, producing massive mushroom clouds.
Fallout from tests spread radioactive materials across borders and oceans.
The Cold War fueled intense testing as nations raced to perfect nuclear weapons.
Underground testing began in the 1960s to reduce fallout but still shook the Earth.
Tests provided data for weapon design, safety, and explosive yield.
Public health concerns and protests grew as evidence of radiation effects mounted.
The Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963) banned atmospheric, outer space, and underwater tests.
Today, most nations observe a testing moratorium, but the legacy of past tests lingers in the environment and politics.