Project Manager's Report Project Sedan

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U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION Nevada Operations Office REYNOLDS ELECTRICAL & ENGINEERING CO., INC.

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Division of Mili tary Applica tions John S. Kelly, Director, DPNE Edward J. Brunenkant, Director Division of Technical Information U. S. A tomic Energy Com mission Duncan C. Clark, Direc tor Division of Public Information San Francisco Operations Office Albuquerque Operations Office Albuquerque, New Mexic o James E. Reeves, Manager Nevada Opera tions Office Las Vegas, Nevada John S. Fos ter, Directo r Lawrence Radiation Laboratory Los Alamos Scientific Labo ratory Los Alamos, New Mexico Sandia Base, New Mexico Headquarters, Chief DASA Advanced Research Pro jects Agency, DOD Los Angeles 49, California Number of Copies

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Office of Information Albuquerque Operations Office Albuquerque, New Mexico Edwin G. Bowen, Director 1 Special Projects Division Holmes & Narver, Inc. Los Angeles 14, California J. R. Crockett, Project General Manager 1 Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Co., Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada Edgerton, Germeshausen & Grier, Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada Albuquerque, New Mexico Ed. B, Eckel, Chief I Special Projects Branch Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada Col, Alex G. Sutton I 6037 Contra Costa Road

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c/o University of Nevada Desert Research Office Head, Dept. of Civil Engr. University of Illinois Aurora Federal Building 305 North Charles Street Roland F. Beers, Inc. Hazleton Nuclear Science Corp. Palo Alto, California William K. Kirk, Acting Chief Los Angeles Branch Los Angeles, California Ernest Wynkoop, Chief Engr., Const., Support Carlsbad, New Mexico Nevada Operations Office Las Vegas, Nevada Central Mail Records Nevada Operations Office Las Vegas, Nevada

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This report is concerned with the administration, operational planning, safety, engineering, construction, and logistics performed by NVOO in support of the technical and scientific expert ments carried out under Project Sedan. Included are a summary of the technical and scientific purposes of the experiment and an account of the field test and its result. Detailed information about the technical aspects of Project Sedan is not included; the reader is referred to the technical reports on the project prepared by Lawrence Radiation Laboratory and other participants. Listed below are the agencies and contractors that participated in the Sedan experiments. They are referred to in this report by the listed abbreviations; Brigham Young University................................................................................................... BYU Division of Biology and Medicine, AEC....................................................................... DBM Division of Military Application, AEC ........................................................................ DMA Division of Peaceful Nuclear Explosives,AEC.......................................................... DPNE Edgerton, Germeshausen & Grier, Inc.............................................................................. EG&G Federal Aviation Agency ................................................................................................... FAA Federal Services, Inc...................................................................... ........................................FSI Holmes & Narver, Inc.............................................................................................................. H&N Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, University of California..................................... LRL Lookout Mountain Air Station.............................................................................................LMAFJ U. S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory........................................................... USNRDL Nevada Operations Office, AEC ....................................................................................NVOO Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Co., Inc........................................................ REECo San Francisco Operations Office, AEC ....................................................................... SAN Space Technology Laboratories, Inc.................................................................................STL University of California at Los Angeles........................................................................UCLA

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TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS..................................................................................................................................... v LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS............................................................................................................................. vii PART ONE - PLANNING, ORGANIZATDN, AND AUTHORITIES A. Site Evaluation and Investigation............................................................................... 1 Chapter II ORGANIZATION......................................................................................................................... 3 PART TWO - SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL PROGRAMS PART THREE - PROJECT MANAGER'S ADVISORY PANEL Chapter I ADVISORY PANEL........................................................ 20 PART FOUR - SAFETY PROGRAM Chapter I PANEL OF SAFETY CONSULTANTS................................................................................ 28 Chapter II WEATHER AND SURFACE RADIATION PREDICTION............................................ 29 Chapter III RADIATION SAFETY............................................................................... ..................... ■___ 37 Chapter IV SPECIAL SAFETY MEASURES........................................................................................... 40

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) PART FIVE - PUBLIC INFORMATION Chapter I PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM C. Issuance of Information................ PART SIX - ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, AND SUPPORT Chapter I ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION.......................... A. Background and Scope of Work.................................. D. Final Test at Emplacement Hole................................ Chapter II SUPPORT................................ PART SEVEN - SECURITY Chapter I SECURITY PARTICIPATION Chapter II CLASSIFICATION.................... PART EIGHT - COSTS Chapter I PROJECT COSTS......................................................................................................................... 57 PART NINE - BIBLIOGRAPHY Chapter I PROJECT SEDAN REPORTS.................................................................................................. 60 PART TEN - CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Chapter I CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................................... 62

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Sedan Crater — Looking SE Across Other Area 10 Craters Project Sedan Organization Aerial View of Area 10 Craters Seismograph Ins tallation Placing of Radioactive Samples Down Hole Ejecta Study Debris Trap Ground Zero from Station No. 6 Sedan - Zero Time Ground Photo of Base Surge Aerial Photo Showing Base Surge Sedan Crater - Aerial View Looking NW Sedan Crater - Aerial View Looking SE Inside Sedan Crater View from Rim of Sedan Crater Aerial View Showing Lip of Sedan Crater Lip of Sedan Crater Sedan Crater - View from Rim Sedan Crater - Edge of Rim Throwout from Sedan Detonation Boulder Fie Id Resulting from Sedan Explosion Sedan Briefing, 1600 PDT, July 5 Cloud and Weather Pattern for Period 0600 to 1800 PDT, July 6 Briefing Forecast for 1600 PDT, July 5 Prognostic Precipitation Areas and Trajectories Briefing Forecast for 0630 PDT, July 6 (Sheet l of 2) Briefing Forecast for 0630 PDT, July 6 (Sheet 2 of 2) Sedan Briefing 0930 PDT, July 6 Extended H plus I Hour Dose Rate Pattern (Dose Rate Con tours Peak Dose Rates vs Distance as a Result of Cloud Passage Predicted Infinity Dose Surface Deposition Pattern in R°entgens Predicted and Observed Infinity Dose Distance Curves H plUs 1 Hour Dose Rate Pattern in the Vicinity of Ground Zer° Security Stations for Sedan Event

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The Atomic Energy Commission established the Plowshare program to provide research and development directed toward peaceful uses of nuclear explosives in applications such as large civil engineering projects, development of natural resources, production of isotopes and power, and scientific studies. Project Sedan was the first in a series of experiments to develop the AEC’s nuclear excavation technology and was conducted at the Nevada Test Site. The objective of the Sedan experiment was to obtain the scaling exponent for yields of about 100 kilotons at greater than optimum depth of burial to facilitate scaling of crater dimensions in the megaton range. Theory and empirical experience indicate that scaling laws for crater formation are w.riable depending upon the yield of the detonation. It bas been shown that for l.;Jciloton detonations crater dimensions vary as the 1/3.4 power of the yield. Theory indicates that with larger detonations, scaling should gradually change to the 1/4 power. This difference in scaling could represent sizable differences in megaton crater sizes. The experiment involved the detonation of a 100 kiloton device buried in alluvium at a depth of 635 feet. Based on low yield crater dimensions and radioactivity entrapment relation* ships, it was estimated that this high-yield detonation would produce a crater 1200 to 1400 feet in diameter and 250 to 300 feet deep with less than 4 percent of the radioactive material produced being redeposited as local fallout.

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On May 8, 1962, the President of the United States authorized the conduct of Project Sedan, Subsequently on May 15, 1962, SAN authorized NVOO to proceed with Sedan preparations on parallel schedules with a readiness date of July 6, 1962, and an alternate date of September 1962. On July 3, 1962, SAN, upon receipt of Headquarters approval, authorized NVOO to proceed with the execution of Project Sedan, including the detonation on July 6, 1962. A. SITE EVALUATION AND INVESTIGATION The site selected for Project Sedan was in Area 10 of the Nevada Test Site, This area was used for previous high explosive and nuclear cratering detonations. Based on data from previous holes drilled in this area, it was determined that alluvium exists to a depth of approximately 1100 feet. Immediately underlying the alluvium is a weakly cemented ash flow gradually changing to a more compact tuff similar to that found in the Rainier Mesa. The coordinates of surface zero were N 884,000, E 681,000 as defined by the NTS grid coordinates. A brief explanation is given here of the major aspects of operations. Each of these items is more fully explained in appropriate sections of this report. 1, Engineering and Construction Holmes & Narver, Inc., was the architect-engineer for the project and received AEC approved construction criteria for the technical programs from the LRL Technical Director. Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Co., Inc., handled general support to project 3, Emplacement, Arming and Firing The nuclear device was essembled, emplaced and armed by LRL with Sandia Corporation (Livermore) assisting as necessary. EG&G accomplished the timing and firing requirements BYU, NRDL, BC and USMC and were sponsored by the Technical Director. The Project Manager sponsored the following programs directed toward assuring public health and safety for the detonation region: (c) Fallout Prediction and Weather Forecasting These programs are fully explained in Part Four of this report.

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6. Public Information Program The public information program was coordinated with the AEC and described the objectives and procedures to be followed in implementing commission policy on NTS. 7. Classification and Security Classification guidance was furnished by SAN. NTS security was under the jurisdiction of the Project Manager’s security staff. Federal Services, Inc., provided the necessary guard Vela is a short tide of a DOD research and development program directed toward developing and improving U. S. capability for detecting and identifying underground and high altitude nuclear detonations* That phase of Vela which is concerned with underground detonations is known as In Project Sedan six Vela^Uniform programs were planned for execution on a noninterference basis with the scheduled experiment, These programs are described in Part 2, Chapter I.

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A. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT As a result of the directive from A. D. Starbird, Director, DMA, to Manager, SAN, dated April 7, 1958, a Memorandum of Agreement, No. AT(29-2)*?69, between SAN and ALO (now NVOO) was approved in October 1958. The nature and extent of the services and support are fully described and defined in this agreement. In general, NVOO was to assign the Project Manager, who would be operationally respon^ sible to the Manager, SAN, for the execution of demonstrations in accordance with program objectives and approved criteria. In accordance with the SAN*ALO(NVOO) Agreement, the Project Manager was to provide over-all project management in the direction and execution of Plowshare field operations; provide for and assure operational safety; provide field support (including engineering and construction); plan and carry out community relations activities; administer NVOO contracts and agreements with participating Government Agencies. In the absence of the Project Manager, all matters were referred to the Deputy Project Manager (Figure 1), NEVADA TEST SITE ORGANIZATION MODIFIED FOR SEDAN EVENT Staffed By - DMA Scientific Ad visors Technical Group Director Refer to Tech'l Directors Agencies as Req, Military Deputy Staffed USPHS Liaison Off! cor

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PROJECT HISTORY AND AUTHORIZATIONS President authorized the conduct of Project Sedan. SAN authorized NVOO to proceed with Project Sedan preparation on parallel planning schedules with readiness dates of July 6, 1962, and September 1962* Technical Director’s Concept for Project Sedan. Technical Reporting Plan for Project Sedan. Operational Safety Plan. Technical Director's Operation Plan. Plowshare Chart of Accounts. . DPNE advised of the NTS Off-Site Radiation Exposure Guide for Sedan. Project Manager’s Special Instructions and Schedule of Events — Project Sedan. Planning Directive (PL-3-6-62) — Project Sedan, Revision II. Classification Guidance — Project Sedan. SAN authorized NVOO to proceed with the execution, including detonation of Project Sedan on July 6, 1962. Project Sedan detonation.

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Project Sedan was the first of a projected series of cratering detonations designed to develop the techniques of nuclear excavation over the next four to five years. Its purpose was to extend knowledge of cratering effects to the 100 kt range of yields. Most nuclear excavation projects such as harbors and canals will require the use of nuclear explosives in the range of 100 kt to 10 mt. Previous cratering experience has been limited to 1-kt and smaller explosions. Serious questions have been raised regarding the methods of using these low yield data to predict the results of high yield explosions. Sedan was designed to answer several of these questions as well as provided data on safety problems related to radioactivity, seismic effects and air blast, The depth of burst chosen for Sedan was 635 feet. Previous data had indicated that this depth would result in a crater of almost maximum dimension while allowing less than 4 percent of the radioactivity produced by the explosion to redeposit as local fallout. This amounts to less than 2-kt equivalent fission activity, The location chosen was Area 10 at the Nevada Test Site (Figure 2), near several other nuclear craters (Jangle U and Teapot Ess) and much high explosive cratering work (Scooter, Stagecoach). The 100-kt explosive used for Sedan was a thermonuclear device in which less than 30 percent of the energy release came from fission. Measures were taken to reduce the radioactivity induced by the neutrons from the thermonuclear portion of the yield to a level well below the fission product activity. Technical programs accompanying the detonation included air blast and seismic monitoring both on-site and off-site. Scientific photography from six camera stations was planned to deter mine surface motion and cloud dimensions. Fallout trays and collectors were positioned throughout the planned fallout sector and bio-environmental plots were laid out to study radiation effects caused by the explosion. Radioactive pellets were emplaced in holes near the shot point to study particle trajectories. Tarpaulins, trays and measuring rods were distributed to measure and document the distribution of the throwout and dust (Figures 3 through 6). The device was emplaced in a 36-inch diameter cased hole together with a series of detectors to determine device performance. The hole was backfilled with dry sand. Sedan was detonated at 1000 hours PDT on July 6, 1962. A roughly hemispherical dome 600-800 feet in diameter rose to a height of 290 feet at 3 seconds at which time venting of incandescent gases occurred, resulting in a bright flash (Figure 7). The material continued to rise to a height of about 2,000 feet (Figure 8). As this tremendous volume of earth fell to the ground, a base surge was formed that expanded radially to a distance of approximately 2.5 miles crosswind and 2 miles upwind(Figures 9 and 10). The main cloud rose to a height of about 12,000 feet above the desert floor, where it was topped by inversion conditions in the atmosphere, The crater formed had a maximum apparent depth of about 320 feet and an average apparent diameter of 1200 feet, The lip ranged from about 20 to almost 100 feet in height above the original grade (Figures 11 through 18), Dispersion of throwout material is shown in Figures 19 and 20, The cloud was carried downwind by a meanwind of about 17 knots from 185°. Intense fall out was confined to within approximately 2 miles upwind and crosswind, and 4 miles downwind of ground zero. Although the radioactivity deposited at longer ranges downwind was greater than expected, the intensities were moderate considering the large amount of dust carried by the cloud, The maximum infinite doses at 50 and 199 miles were about 2 r and 200 mr respectively,

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Figure 5 PUTTING RADIOACTIVE SAMPLES DOWN HOLE Figure 6 EJECTA STUDY DEBRIS TRAPS

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Figure 9 - GROUND PHOTO OF BASE SURGE Figure 10 - AERIAL PHOTO SHOWING BASE SURGE

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Figure 13 - INSIDE SEDAN CRATER Figure 14 - V/'EW FROM RIM OF SEDAN CRATER

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Figure 16 - LIP OF SEDAN CRATER Figure 17 - SEDAN CRATER - VIEW FROM …