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Figure 8. Bikini recreation area during CROSSROADS.

SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN THE CROSSROADS TESTS

The remoteness of Bikini Atoll posed significant logistics problems in procuring and transporting personnel, materials, and supplies to the new test site. Special security arrangements were also required to transport the nuclear weapons from the United States to the test area. However, there were many advantages to testing at Bikini. It offered a large, uninhabited area for test activities and normally steady directional winds to clear the airborne test debris.

Another major problem was design, procurement, and installation of the many scientific instruments required to measure effects of the detonations. These included instruments for observing shock waves, water pressure, airblast, wave action, deformation of structures, and radioactivity. Remotely controlled (drone) boats and aircraft had to be provided to obtain important measurements in radioactive zones without endangering personnel. Laboratories had to be

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