Katherine A Lundquist, Robert S Arthur, Stephanie Neuscamman, Joseph P Morris, Christian R Scullard, Andrew W Cook, Nathan G Wimer, Peter Goldstein, Gregory D Spriggs, Lee G Glascoe, John S Nasstrom
Current operational models for nuclear cloud rise over land were developed and validated using observations from shallow-buried or surface detonations, where lofted soil quickly mixed with fission products from the detonation. These models poorly predict fallout from elevated detonations near the fallout-free height of burst (FFHOB), where interactions with the ground are limited and the mixing of fission products and lofted soil is incomplete. Fallout-free is a misnomer at this HOB, as fallout was observed in these cases, but was below the levels of concern, especially off-grounds of the nuclear test site...
September 29, 2023: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity