Church Rock uranium mill spill, Environmental disaster in United States of America
The Church Rock uranium mill spill is the largest release of radioactive waste in U.S. history.
On July 16, 1979, over 1,000 tons of solid radioactive mill waste and 93 million gallons of acidic, radioactive tailings solution flowed into the Puerco River.
This spill contaminated land sacred to the Navajo Nation, impacting their community and culture.
Cleanup efforts have been ongoing, yet the site remains a reminder of the environmental risks of uranium mining.
Despite its magnitude, the Church Rock spill is less well-known than the Three Mile Island incident that occurred the same year.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
