ExposureBlog

From the air, the Divine Strake GZ doesn’t look like much–just barren desert.  A closer look (with a few marks on the photo) shows the location of the test tunnel.  Again, nothing spectacular.  Zooming out, however, we find that the site is only five miles from a shot crater that is still somewhat radioactive (about 150-250 microroentgens/hr)–even when measured using instruments placed 3 meters above the surface.  In my opinion, that’s probably close enough to the new GZ to warrant a real analysis of the Strake soil for radioisotopes.  Soil can easily migrate five miles, even where the winds don’t exceed 50 mph.

And now there is this–a map of the geology of Area 16 includes the famous Syncline Ridge.  It’s in blue—and it’s composed of what is called the Tippipah limestone formation.  According to an earlier chart, some of this area may include springs. 

I have been told that springs were mentioned in the doucments discussing earlier tests, particularly the Jan 18, 1968 Hupmobile Shot, but I’ve seen nothing in the Strake EA’s about them.  

The presence of springs may indicate the presence of an aquifer, and thus the possibility of contamination.  And of course, there may have been one there in 1968 and it has dried up since. 

Stay tuned.