Document Details
PURL
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Title:
Nuclear Excavation of Entrance Channel to Diego Garcia Atoll
Author(s):
Document Type:
REPORT
Publication Date:
1960 Jun 03
Declassification Date:
1996 May 16
Accession Number:
OOL20100021
Document Number(s):
UCRL-ID-124965
Originating Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
OpenNet Entry Date:
2019 Aug 19
OpenNet Modified Date:
2026 Aug 21
Description/Abstract:
This memorandum presents an engineering proposal for the nuclear excavation of an entrance channel to Diego Garcia Atoll, located in the Indian Ocean at 7°17'S., 72°26'E. Briefly, the proposal is to excavate a new channel 400 yards wide through a narrow point in the eastern side of the Atoll by detonating simultaneously two 200 KT nuclear devices emplaced at a depth of 700 feet in the coral reef. Investigations of nuclear excavation by the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, undertaken as part of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission's Plowshare Program for the peaceful use of nuclear explosives, indicate that such a channel project is entirely feasible and could be carried out with complete safety to human life and minimum damage to Diego Garcia Atoll. The estimated cost is $2,900,000, exclusive of transportation costs from the United States to Diego Garcia and housekeeping support costs at the overseas site. The following sections present data on the excavation dimensions; safety considerations; time schedule; personnel; equipment and supply requirements, and estimated cost.