Castle Bravo

The Castle Bravo test, conducted by the United States on March 1, 1954, was the largest nuclear bomb ever detonated by the U.S., yielding 15 megatons of explosive power—more than double what was expected. This thermonuclear bomb was part of a series of tests in the Marshall Islands and marked a significant advancement in hydrogen bomb technology.

The explosion was so powerful that it created a crater over a mile wide and sent a massive mushroom cloud over 20 miles into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the unexpected yield resulted in severe radioactive fallout, contaminating nearby islands and exposing civilians and military personnel to radiation.

The Bravo test had long-lasting environmental and health impacts and played a significant role in shaping global awareness of the dangers of nuclear weapons and the need for international regulation of such tests.