According to reports, the United States government conducted a “high-explosive experiment” at a nuclear test site in Nevada.

The Biden administration conducted the test hours after Russia moved to revoke a ban on atomic-weapons testing.

In a statement, the U.S. Department of Energy wrote the test “used chemicals and radioisotopes to ‘validate new predictive explosion models’ that can help detect atomic blasts in other countries.”

“These experiments advance our efforts to develop new technology in support of U.S. nuclear nonproliferation goals,” Corey Hinderstein, Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation at the National Nuclear Security Administration, said in a statement, according to Fox News.

“They will help reduce global nuclear threats by improving the detection of underground nuclear explosive tests,” he added.

Fox News reports:

The test is notable because of its timing. Russian lawmakers announced their intention to revoke the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

A bill will go to the Russian upper house, the Federation Council, which will consider it next week. Federation Council lawmakers have already said they will support the bill.

The treaty, adopted in 1996, bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, although it has never fully entered into force. In addition to the U.S., it is yet to be ratified by China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Iran and Egypt.

American officials have said more transparency is needed because while the U.S. and Russia don’t test warheads, they do conduct so-called sub-critical experiments — explosions that verify weapon designs without the amount of atomic material needed to sustain a chain reaction, the Bloomberg report said.

There are widespread concerns that Russia could resume nuclear tests to try to discourage the West its continued support of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that while some experts have talked about the need to conduct nuclear tests, he hasn’t yet formed an opinion on the issue.

As of January 2023, Russia and the United States dominate the estimated global nuclear warhead inventories.

Collin Rugg commented:

The U.S. has conducted a nuclear test in Nevada, hours after Russia revoked their ban on atomic weapons testing.

Bloomberg reports that the test used radioisotopes and chemicals to “validate new predictive explosion models”

The test comes after Putin was seen in Beijing next to his officers who were allegedly carrying his “nuclear briefcase,” something that is very rarely filmed (Reuters).

Nevada has been used for nuclear testing for decades, specifically the Nevada National Security Site which was established in 1951.

More details from KSNV:

The experiment was conducted in the P tunnel in Area 12, and it used chemical high-explosives and radiotracers, the Energy Department said.

Researchers used accelerometers, seismometers, infrasound sensor, electromagnetic sensors, chemical and radiotracer samplers. Seismic data from the test is available for review at earthscope.org.

The Nevada National Security Site, formerly known as the Nevada Test Site, is located in southeastern Nye County. It was established for nuclear testing and continues to serve as a site for weapons research and development.

 

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