Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site

Bikini Atoll, part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific, was used by the United States for nuclear testing from 1946 to 1958. During these tests, nuclear bombs were exploded underwater and on land to study their power and effects. These tests released radioactive materials, contaminating the environment and making the islands uninhabitable for decades. The tests significantly advanced nuclear weapons knowledge but also caused long-term ecological and health issues for local residents and the environment. Today, Bikini Atoll remains a symbol of nuclear testing's legacy, with some areas still contaminated and unsafe for settlement.