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Rainier Mesa is one of four major nuclear test regions within the
Area 12 held 61 nuclear tests between 1957 and 1992, one of which involved two detonations. All tests were conducted below Rainier and Aqueduct mesas.
Area 12 was the primary location for tunnel tests and used almost exclusively for that purpose. The tunnel complexes mined into Rainier and Aqueduct Mesa include the B-, C-, D-, E-, F-, G-, I-, J-, K-, N-, P-, and T-tunnel complexes, and Q- and R- shafts.
There has been some concern that Rainier Mesa is exhibiting signs of
Full Document
The Area 12 Camp was renovated and upgraded and provides a secure base camp for military units and other government agencies for conducting counter-terrorism and other exercises in the northern region of the NNSS. It provides an urban terrain setting utilizing existing commercial, residential, and industrial buildings. The camp includes 200 dormitory rooms, a cafeteria, weapons and munitions storage, and numerous operations and support buildings. The
U.S. Department of Energy / Nevada Operations Office, ''United States Nuclear Tests - July 1945 through September 1992'', December 2000
DOE/NV-209 Rev 15
National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office, ''Draft Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement Nevada'', ch.2, July 2011
DOE/EIS-246-D
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Nevada Test Site
Rainier Mesa is one of four major nuclear test regions within the Nevada National Security Site
The Nevada National Security Site (N2S2 or NNSS), known as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a United States Department of Energy (DOE) reservation located in southeastern Nye County, Nevada, about 65 miles (105 km) northwest of the ...
(NNSS). It occupies approximately along the northern edge of the NNSS and corresponds to Area 12.
The Rainier Mesa area consists of both Rainier Mesa proper and the contiguous Aqueduct Mesa.
At , the top of Rainier Mesa is the highest elevation within the NNSS.
Nuclear testing
Area 12 held 61 nuclear tests between 1957 and 1992, one of which involved two detonations. All tests were conducted below Rainier and Aqueduct mesas.
Area 12 was the primary location for tunnel tests and used almost exclusively for that purpose. The tunnel complexes mined into Rainier and Aqueduct Mesa include the B-, C-, D-, E-, F-, G-, I-, J-, K-, N-, P-, and T-tunnel complexes, and Q- and R- shafts.
There has been some concern that Rainier Mesa is exhibiting signs of tired mountain syndrome
Tired mountain syndrome is a condition in which underground nuclear testing fractures and weakens rock, increasing permeability and the risk of release of radionuclides and radioactive contamination of the environment. Locations said to have under ...
, due to the number of nuclear detonations that have occurred at the site.Full Document
Current activities
The Area 12 Camp was renovated and upgraded and provides a secure base camp for military units and other government agencies for conducting counter-terrorism and other exercises in the northern region of the NNSS. It provides an urban terrain setting utilizing existing commercial, residential, and industrial buildings. The camp includes 200 dormitory rooms, a cafeteria, weapons and munitions storage, and numerous operations and support buildings. The Office of Secure Transportation The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Secure Transportation (OST) provides safe and secure transportation of nuclear weapons and components and special nuclear materials, and conducts other missions supp ...
uses it as a training facility.
Notes
References
DOE/NV-209 Rev 15
National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office, ''Draft Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement Nevada'', ch.2, July 2011
DOE/EIS-246-D