Nuclear Testing in the Pacific from a Geologic Perspective

Geological evaluation of the nuclear test sites in the South Pacific in the light of modern mapping suggests the atolls of Mururoa and Fangtaufa were poor choices for nuclear test sites. These atolls, like others in the Pacific, are prone to catastrophic failure including mega-landslides and massive slumps. The atolls are characterised by brecciated lava, hyaloclastites, tuffs and carbonates characterised by mega-porosity.