'Nukes in Alaska: Then and Now' (Science for Alaska Lecture Series)

January 28, 2020

University Relations

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Curt Szuberla will present “Nukes in Alaska: Then and Now.” The talk is part of the 2020 Science for Alaska Lecture Series, sponsored by the Geophysical Institute and presented Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. at Raven Landing, 1222 Cowles St. Other discussions will focus on the permafrost, satellite communication and the 2018 earthquake in Anchorage.

If you mention nuclear weapons testing, Alaska probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. However, the 49th state has a long history of nuclear weapons research that continues into the present. Dan O’Neill’s popular 2007 book "The Firecracker Boys" shed light on plans in the late 1950s for so-called “peaceful nuclear explosions” to create artificial harbors in Western Alaska. This talk will focus on some lesser-known aspects of Alaska’s involvement, beginning with the three tests conducted in the Aleutians from 1965 to 1971. In addition, Alaska’s proximity to the former Soviet Union and China made it an ideal location for long-range seismic monitoring of their testing programs during the cold war. This helped play an important part in establishing and verifying the nuclear test ban treaties of today.

You can download a flyer here. Talks are free and open to the public. All ages are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit the Science for Alaska Lecture Series webpage.