This Is How Humanity’s First Nuclear Explosion Created A New, Radioactive Mineral
“What is trinitite, then, really? It’s the first and purest example of radioactive fallout from a nuclear explosion. While simply heating sand to temperatures of around 1500 °C (2700 °F) is enough to create some very attractive fused glass out of it, the Trinity test vaporized practically every element within a quarter mile (400 meter) diameter sphere. This included elements with melting points far higher, exceeded by a localized energy release not seen by humans under any other circumstances throughout history. Nuclear detonations have unique properties, and this glass, although beautiful in its own way, is also a horrific reminder of the destructive power we wield, as well as its often-unforeseen consequences.
Trinitite will remain radioactive so long as our Sun shines. It’s up to us — the rest of humanity — to ensure that we never create anything like it again.”
On July 16, 1945, humanity officially entered the atomic age with the Trinity test: the first nuclear explosion ever created by humanity. A release of the energy equivalent of some 20,000 tons of TNT came from just a few kilograms of plutonium and uranium, a demonstration of the tremendous destructive power of a nuclear bomb. A month later, the almost-identical design was used in the Nagasaki bomb, bringing a sudden and tragic end to World War II. On the ground in the sands of New Mexico, though, an odd green glass was found everywhere.
