Bikini Atoll
Bikini Atoll (also known as Pikinni Atoll) is an uninhabited 6.0-square-kilometer atoll in one of the Micronesian Islands in the Pacific Ocean at 11°30′ N 165°25′ E. It is a member of the Marshall Islands. It consists of 36 islands surrounding a 594.2-square-kilometer lagoon. It was a test site of more than 20 hydrogen and atomic bombs between 1946 to 1958.
Preceding the nuclear tests, the indigenous population was relocated to Rongerik Atoll. The tests began in July 1946.
For examination of the fallout, several rockets of the types Loki and Asp were launched at 11°35′ N 165°20′ E.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, some of the original islanders returned from Kili Island but were removed because of the high radioactivity.
Bikini Atoll is also the source of the name of the Bikini swimsuit, but it should be noted that the name of the atoll is pronounced with stress on the first syllable.
See also
External links
- A Short History of the People of Bikini Atoll
- Department of Energy Marshall Islands Program : Chronology of nuclear testing, relocation of islanders and results of radiation tests.
Categories: Marshall Islands | Pacific Ocean atolls | Nuclear test sites