# Kiloton (DD-270)

> After World War II, the United States conducted nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Operation Crossroads in 1946 included the Baker test on July 25, 1946, in which a 23-kiloton atomic bomb was detonated underwater to study effects on naval vessels. It threw up a huge column of water and caused severe radioactive contamination. Bikini's residents had been relocated before the tests and have not resettled the atoll permanently. The footage shows the Baker test.

- Department: Military (also History)
- First published: 2024-07-12
- Last updated: 2024-07-12
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/kiloton/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **July 25, 1946**: The Baker test detonates underwater at Bikini Atoll

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=kiloton

## Quick facts

- **DD-270-F01**: The US tested at Bikini Atoll after WWII. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Site))_
- **DD-270-F02**: Operation Crossroads took place in 1946. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Crossroads))_

## Write-up

In July 1946, the US detonated a 23-kiloton bomb underwater at Bikini Atoll. The test left the target ships heavily contaminated.

1. **Site**: The US tested at Bikini Atoll after WWII.
2. **Crossroads**: Operation Crossroads took place in 1946.
3. **Baker**: Baker was detonated underwater on July 25, 1946.
4. **Yield**: It had a yield of 23 kilotons.
5. **Contamination**: It caused severe contamination.

## Related case files

- [Nuclear Fireball (DD-052)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/nuclear-fireball/): I linked more nuclear tests

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel says the test made Bikini uninhabitable; the residents had been moved before the 1946 tests, and later testing and contamination kept the atoll from being permanently resettled.

## Video: Kiloton: In July 1946, the US Detonated a 23-Kiloton Bomb Underwater at Bikini Atoll

- Duration: 27.7 s · Published: 2024-07-12
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C9VdDMWqLrm.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know Bikini Atoll was the site of nuclear testing by the United States after WWII? One of the most notable tests was Operation Crossroads in 1946, which included the Baker test. The Baker Test involved detonating a 23 kiloton atomic bomb underwater to study the effects on naval vessels. The explosion created a massive water column and caused significant radioactive contamination, making Bikini Atoll uninhabitable. The test highlighted the destructive power of nuclear weapons and contributed to the understanding of radiation effects. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Where was the Baker test?**  
A: Marshall Islands. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Site) · Wikipedia: Bikini Atoll)_

**Q: When was it?**  
A: Part of Crossroads. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Crossroads) · Wikipedia: Operation Crossroads)_

**Q: What was its yield?**  
A: About Nagasaki's. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Baker) · Wikipedia: Operation Crossroads)_

**Q: Where was it detonated?**  
A: To test ships. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Yield) · Wikipedia: Operation Crossroads)_

**Q: What was the operation called?**  
A: Two tests in 1946. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Contamination) · Wikipedia: Operation Crossroads)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Operation Crossroads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Crossroads)
- [Wikipedia: Bikini Atoll](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikini_Atoll)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Kiloton." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-270, last updated Jul 12, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/kiloton/