Semipalatinsk nuclear test site is one of the darkest chapters in the history of confrontation between the two superpowers - the USSR and the USA.It is believed that the establishment of such a high-powered and deadly weapons for the Soviet Union at that difficult time was imperative.But the more approaching nuclear scientists to its opening, the more urgent is the question of where to experience this latest development.And the solution to this problem was found.
History
must say that the nuclear test site was part of a project to build an atomic bomb.Therefore, it was necessary to find a suitable area to try out new weapons.She became the steppes of Kazakhstan, turned into Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.Where is this place, in our time, few know.More specifically, it is the steppes on the right bank of the Irtysh River, just 130 km from Semipalatinsk.
Later it became clear that the relief of the area is the best suited for underground explosions in holes and tunnels.The only downside was the fact that was located in Semipalatinsk, the Chinese Consulate, but soon it was closed.
August 21, 1947 issued a decree stating that the construction started before the gulag are now transferred to the War Department called "training ground number 2 MBC USSR (in / h 52605)."His chief was appointed Lieutenant-General P. Rozhanovicha and supervisor - MA Sadovsky, who later became an academician.
first tests of nuclear weapons in the Soviet Union has been tested in August 1949.The strength of the bomb then exploded was 22 kilotons.It should be noted that preparing for it thoroughly.This was necessary in order to secure the maximum amount of information on the impact and consequences of the application of this new weapon.
Semipalatinsk nuclear testing ground occupied a huge area of 18 thousand. 500 square meters.km.Because it has been allocated an experimental site with a diameter of about 10 km and is divided into sectors.In this area, we built a simulation of residential buildings and fortifications, and have placed civilian and military equipment.In addition, these sectors was more than a half thousand animals and placed around the perimeter of measuring photographic and cinematographic equipment.
When it was planned test day, and it was on August 29 in the center of the area at a height of 37 m was blown RDS-1.Up to a great height rose mushroom cloud.Thus began their deadly work of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.The memories and the simple test of civilians trapped in the era and watched this show, almost identical: a bomb blast - is both grand and terrible spectacle.
Statistics explosions
For Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, the history of which quite dark and sinister, became mortally dangerous to people living nearby.It operated from 1949 to 1989.During this time it produced more than 450 tests, during which exploded about 600 both nuclear and thermonuclear devices.Of these, about 30 were ground and at least 85 aircraft.In addition, wires and other tests, which included hydronuclear and hydrodynamic experiments.
known that the total capacity of the charges dropped on Semipalatinsk nuclear test site from 1949 to 1963, to 2.2 thousand. Times greater than the force of the atomic bomb to throw the US in 1945 on Hiroshima.
Consequences
Landfill, located in the Kazakh steppes, was special.He is known not only for its vast territory and blow on it the most advanced with deadly nuclear warheads, but also the fact that his land was constantly locals.Such anywhere else in the world was not.Due to the fact that the first few nuclear charges were deficient of 64 kilograms used uranium chain reaction affects only about 700 g, and the remainder was converted to the so-called radioactive dust, which settles on the ground after an explosion.
Because dreadful consequences of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.Ongoing testing it fully reflected in the locals.Take, for example, the explosion, which occurred at the end of November 1953.It was labeled a thermonuclear charge RDS-37.He was thrown from the plane, and he detonated somewhere at an altitude of 1,550 m. As a result a mushroom cloud, which had a diameter of 30 km and a height of 13-14 km.He could be seen in 59 localities.Within a radius of two hundred kilometers from the epicenter of the explosion all the windows in the houses were broken.In one of the villages was killed a little girl, 36 km collapsed ceiling, one soldier killed and more than 500 residents were injured.On the power of the explosion can be judged by the fact that in the Semipalatinsk, located 130 km from the site, from 3 persons recorded a concussion.
can only guess what could cause further nuclear tests, if not agreement on their prohibition in the water, air and space, signed by the major powers in this area in 1963.
Applications
During the years of nuclear testing had accumulated a lot of valuable information.Most of the data, and to this day is marked "classified."Few know that the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site was used to test not only military, but also for industrial purposes.There are also documents that say that the Soviet Union produced more than 120 explosions not on military grounds.
nuclear charges were used to create underground cavities needed in the oil and gas industry, as well as the increased impact is already beginning to run out of fields with minerals.Oddly enough, but the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site was the springboard for the accumulation of vast experience in the use of such explosions for peaceful purposes.
Closing
1989 was a year of cessation of nuclear tests.Exactly 42 years after the explosion of the first bomb - 29 August 1991 - Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a special decree aimed at the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.After 3 years, the whole arsenal of such weapons was removed from the territory of that State.
Even after 2 years, all military went from there, but left behind ugly scars on the earth in the form of funnels, tunnels and thousands of kilometers of poisoning with radioactive soil particles.
Kurchatov
passed 24 years after the closed Semipalatinsk test site.But Kurchatov - the so-called once a closed city - still enjoys extraordinary popularity among foreigners.This is not surprising, since many dream to see what kind of power had disappeared superpower called the Soviet Union.The tourists who come here, one route: Kurchatov - an experimental field - an unusual lake, which is called at.
first new city called Moscow-400.Relatives of the specialists are coming to the capital and were looking for their loved ones.They were not even aware that they now live in 3 thousand. Km of Moscow.Therefore, in 1960 the town was renamed into Semipalatinsk-21, and a little later in Kurchatov.Last name is given in honor of the well-known developer of nuclear program of the USSR Igor Kurchatov, who lived and worked here.
This city was built from scratch for almost 2 years.During the construction of homes taken into account that there will be officers and scientists live with their families.Therefore Kurchatov was supplied by the highest category.Relatives who came to visit their loved ones, believed that they live almost in heaven.While in Moscow, people had to stand for hours in line for food with coupons in hand, Kurchatov shelves in stores just bursting with an unusual abundance of goods.
Atomic Lake
It appeared as a result of the explosion produced in mid-January 1965 in the confluence of two major rivers in the region - and Ashchisu step.The power of the atomic charge amounted to 140 kilotons.After the explosion, there was a funnel diameter of 400 meters and a depth greater than 100 meters. Radionuclide contamination of the land around the lake was about 3-4 km.That is the legacy of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.
Victims landfill
year after having been the first nuclear explosion, the infant mortality rate has increased by almost 5 times, and the life expectancy of the adult population has decreased by 3-4 years.In subsequent years, the development of congenital malformations in the population field and has only increased by 12% to a record 21.2 per 1 thousand. Newborn.All of them - the victims of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.
in dangerous areas of the radioactive background area in 2009 was 15-20 mR per hour.Despite this, there are still people live.Until 2006, the area is not only protected, but has not been mapped.The local people of the area used as pasture for cattle.
Recently, the President of Kazakhstan has identified the special status of the people who lived from 1949 to 1990, near the object, called "Semipalatinsk nuclear test site."The benefits are distributed to the public in view of the remoteness of the place of residence of the experimental site.The contaminated area is divided into 5 zones.Depending on this, a one-time cash compensation is calculated, as well as salary supplements.It is also provided, and to obtain additional days to the annual leave.In that case, if a person came to one of the zones after 1991, the benefits do not apply to it.
