NUCLEAR DEVICES TESTED

Map Of Micronesia

7 The island itself was not a vacant rock devoid of life, but rather a small portion of an extended ethnic kingdom–owing itself to the Marshallese peoples of the Marshall Island chain.

Not only were the local populations negatively impacted by the unpredictable fallout patterns, but those whose jobs kept them at sea nearby were blasted with invisible radiation and a snowfall-like precipitation of radioactive debris. Those who were caught in the many thousand mile wide zone of fallout--who did not die immediately--would be physically scarred by radiation burns for the rest of their lives.

Perhaps there’s nothing particularly special about the events surrounding the island itself; after all, the decades long Cold War saw a multitude of humanitarian and ecological disasters of a similar cast.

The island itself was not host to a large populace, only having a few dozen aboriginal bikini islanders at the time of the evacuation of the island.

But the fact remains that an island that was once host to a people and unique fauna, was poisoned–likely for centuries–in a bid to enhance the firepower of an increasingly impractical and existentially dangerous weapons system.

For a more practical monument, one that can be seen by Mason students and serve as a more local reminder, I would have a concrete foundation laid between the benches at Mason Pond.

For a more practical monument, one that can be seen by Mason students and serve as a more local reminder, I would have a concrete foundation laid between the benches at Mason Pond.

Within this foundation, a basin would be erected, but one with a transparent filament that–in theory–would show the original shape of the island before it was bombarded.

Within this foundation, a basin would be erected, but one with a transparent filament that–in theory–would show the original shape of the island before it was bombarded.

Within this transparent shape, water would flow to the current island’s artificially deepened cove. This would be a sort of before and after comparison

Within this transparent shape, water would flow to the current island’s artificially deepened cove. This would be a sort of before and after comparison

Another memorial could be erected in Point Loma in San Diego.

It would face in the direction of the actual island and the frequent visitors would hopefully take notice and learn a little something of it. There is another monument nearby, the Cabrillo National Monument, which celebrates the first Europeans (Spanish) to travel to the west coast.

I think there could be a balance of these notions in having these two monuments in somewhat close proximity.

Because after all, the nation that would some day stretch from this coast to the east, will continue the tradition of throwing its weight around.

Depth Of Castle Bravo Crater

TEST SITES, MAP