In Ekker series, French nuclear tests explained

In Ekker series
Map Type:Algeria
Country: France, Algeria
Test Site:In Ekker, French Algeria, later independent Algeria
Coordinates:24.0569°N 5.0517°W
Period:1961–1966
Number Of Tests:13 + 5 AN-11/21
Test Type:Underground
Device Type:A-bombs
Max Yield:127 kt (531.4 TJ)
Previous Series:Reggane series
Next Series:1966–70 series

In Ekker was a series of 13 underground nuclear tests and five complementary subcritical atmospheric experiments by France between November 1961 and February 1966.[1] The bombs were detonated at the Oasis Military Experiments Centre (Centre d'expérimentation militaire des oasis) also named CEMO near In Ekker, French Algeria at the Tan Afella in the Hoggar Mountains, by the Nuclear Experiments Operational Group (GOEN), a unit of the Joint Special Weapons Command. At the beginning of the test series, the area was controlled by France as part of French Algeria, which was in the midst of its war of independence. While Algeria won its independence in 1962, the tests were controversially allowed to continue until 1966 as part of the peace treaty.[2]

The series saw the explosion of the first AN-11/21 bombs and was followed by the 1966–1970 series. The tests remain controversial for their continued impact on the region.[2]

Codenames

The 13 underground operations were named after jewel stones, while the 5 AN-11/21 bombs tests were designated as Pollen I, Pollen Rose, Pollen Rouge, Pollen Safran and Pollen Jonquille.

List of tests

CodenameDate time (UTC)LocationElevationAltitudeDeliveryPurposeDeviceYieldFallout
Agate1961-11-07 – 11:29:59.9Shaft E1 North – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0569°N 5.0517°W
1,400 m0 mTunnel
  • Measurement procedures
  • Study of mechanical effects
S15.0 ktAfter 8 hours: 0.040 mGy/h (Drilling T11')
Béryl1962-05-01 – 10:00:00.5Shaft E2 – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0631°N 5.0417°W
1,580 m0 mTunnel S2>30.0 ktAfter few minutes: 0.001 to 3.000 Gy/h

After 1 hour: 7.000 Gy/h (7.0 km)

After 1 day: 0.100 mGy/h (150.0 km)

Émeraude
(Georgette)
1963-03-18 – 10:02:00.4Shaft E3 South – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0414°N 5.0525°W
1,540 m0 mTunnel10.0 ktAfter 8 hours: 0.400 mGy/h (Drilling T32)
Améthyste1963-03-30 – 09:59:00.3Shaft E3 Bis – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0433°N 5.0567°W
1,220 m0 mTunnel
  • Reuse of plutonium
  • Test of new neutron detection devices
P10.85 ktAfter 20 minutes: 0.200 Gy/h (1.0 km)

After 1 day: 0.700 Gy/h (1.0 km)

Rubis1963-10-20 – 13:00:00.1Shaft E5 – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0347°N 5.0367°W
1,510 m0 mTunnel68.0 ktAfter 1 hour: 1.000 Gy/h (1.0 km)

After 5 hours: 0.100 mGy/h (? km)

After 14 hours: 0.002 mGy/h (150.0 km)

Opale
(Michèle)
1964-02-14 – 11:00:00.3Shaft E1 South – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0536°N 5.0519°W
1,380 m0 mTunnel3.7 ktAfter 6 hours: 0.050 mGy/h (Drilling T12)
Pollen I1964-05-08 – ??:??:??.?Shooting range – CEMO
Tan Ataram, In Ekker, French Algeria
23.9325°N 4.7406°W
940 m0 mSurface
  • Assessment of plutonium contamination during a simulated accident
AN-11N/A
Topaze1964-06-15 – 13:40:00.4Shaft E6-1 – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0664°N 5.0342°W
1,410 m0 mTunnel
  • Test of a new plutonium prototype
A1>1.0 ktAfter 6 hours: 0.050 mGy/h (Drilling T12)
Turquoise1964-11-28 – 10:30:00.0Shaft E4 – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0417°N 5.0414°W
1,760 m0 mTunnel
  • Fusion of lithium deuterium with plutonium
  • Evacuation exercises
H25 ktNone
Pollen Rose1964-12-31 – 06:28:??.?Shooting range – CEMO
Tan Ataram, In Ekker, French Algeria
23.9325°N 4.7406°W
940 m+1 mTower
  • Assessment of plutonium contamination during a simulated accident
AN-11N/AContaminated area of 0.550 km2
Saphir
(Monique)
1965-02-27 – 11:30:00.0Shaft E7 – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0586°N 5.0311°W
1,830 m0 mTunnelB1117 ktLeak of noble gases (Drilling T71)
Jade1965-05-30 – 11:00:00.0Shaft E1-3 – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.055°N 5.0506°W
1,460 m0 mTunnel
  • Axial prototype
A20.6 ktAfter 2 hours: 0.010 Gy/h (Drilling T31)

After 4 hours: 0.020 Gy/h (Entrance)

After 2 weeks: E1 explosion, leak of noble gases

Corindon1965-10-01 – 10:00:00.0Shaft E6-1 – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0647°N 5.0339°W
1,500 m0 mTunnel
  • Non spherical device
  • Study of thermonuclear devices' ignition conditions
A3>4 ktAfter 15 minutes: 3.200 mGy/h (Drilling T62)After 11 hours: 1.8 mGy/h (Entrance)
Pollen Rouge1965-11-01 – 21:53:??.?Shooting range – CEMO
Tan Ataram, In Ekker, French Algeria
23.9325°N 4.7406°W
940 m+15 mTower
  • Assessment of plutonium contamination during a simulated accident
AN-11N/AContaminated area of 2.100 km2
Tourmaline1965-12-01 – 10:30:00.1Shaft E3 North – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0436°N 5.0467°W
1,600 m0 mTunnel
  • Study of MSBS missiles' ignition conditions
  • Spherical fission plutonium device boosted with tritium
G310 ktAfter 1 day: 0.200 mGy/h (Drilling T31)
Pollen Safran1966-01-10 – 02:06:??.?Shooting range – CEMO
Tan Ataram, In Ekker, French Algeria
23.9325°N 4.7406°W
940 m+15 mTower
  • Assessment of plutonium contamination during a simulated accident
AN-21N/AContaminated area of 5.600 km2
Grenat
(Carmen)
1966-02-16 – 11:00:00.0Shaft E4-2 North – CEMO
Tan Afella, In Ekker, French Algeria
24.0447°N 5.0411°W
1,760 m0 mTunnel
  • Same purposes as Tourmaline, under different conditions
G'313 ktAfter 2 hours: 0.005 Gy/h (Drilling T42)
Pollen Jonquille1966-03-09 – 22:12:??.?Shooting range – CEMO
Tan Ataram, In Ekker, French Algeria
23.9325°N 4.7406°W
940 m+1 mTower
  • Assessment of plutonium contamination during a simulated accident
AN-21N/AContaminated area of 2.750 km2
References : [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: French Senate report #179: The first French tests in the Sahara. Senate of the French Republic. 15 December 1997. senat.fr. fr. 10 August 2020.
  2. Web site: French nuclear tests in Algeria leave toxic legacy. Chikhi. Lamine. 4 March 2010. reuters. en. 4 December 2023.
  3. Radiological Conditions at the Former French Nuclear Test Sites in Algeria: Preliminary Assessment and Recommendations. International Atomic Energy Agency. Vienna. 1 March 2005. 11 August 2020.
  4. Report on French Nuclear Tests (1960-1996). Government of the French Republic. fr. 118. 11 August 2020.
  5. Worldwide Nuclear Explosions. Yang. Xiaoping. Robert. North. Carl. Romney. Science Applications International Corporation, Center for Monitoring Research. 20. 11 August 2020.
  6. Report on health and environmental hazards of France's nuclear tests between 1960 and 1996 [...]]. fr. National Assembly of the French Republic. Paris. 36. 5 February 2001. 11 August 2020.
  7. French Nuclear Testing, 1960-1988. Natural Resources Defense Council. New York. 26. February 1989. 11 August 2020.