Operation Storax, series of 47 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1962-1963

Operation Storax was a series of 47 nuclear tests conducted from July 1962 to June 1963 at the Nevada Test Site, employing various detonation methods and depths. The tests included underground explosions designed to contain radiation, safety experiments to study plutonium dispersal, and the famous Sedan shot which created a crater over 1,000 feet (300 meters) wide.

The series began on July 1, 1962, and ended on June 30, 1963, just before the International Treaty banning atmospheric nuclear testing went into effect, ending above-ground testing by the United States. Operation Storax marked the final chapter of atmospheric testing for the nation, after which all nuclear tests moved completely underground.

Operation Storax represented the height of nuclear testing culture during the Cold War, when atomic explosions were routine parts of scientific and military work for a select group of specialists. The series reflected a moment when nuclear technology was still seen as a tool for both weapons and peaceful engineering purposes, before international concerns shifted attitudes toward such testing.

The Nevada Test Site is a remote desert facility accessible through organized visitor programs that provide historical information through photos and exhibits about the testing series. Most areas require protective equipment or safety precautions due to residual radioactivity still present in certain spots on the grounds.

The Sedan test stands out as one of the most notable, demonstrating that nuclear explosions could be used for civil purposes like canal digging or earth-moving, representing a rare civilian application of atomic force during this period. Millions of tons of soil were hurled into the air by this blast and formed a permanent crater still visible today, serving as a tangible reminder of the scale of these experiments.

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• Latest update: February 20, 2026 00:20