Eli5: what happens to the areas where nuclear bombs are tested?

Question

Eli5: what happens to the areas where nuclear bombs are tested?

In: 3652

Answer 1

I assume you’re mostly referring to radiation.

An atomic weapon uses nuclear power to detonate a bomb for it’s energy… not for it’s radioactive effect on the area. And nuclear energy is extraordinarily efficient.

But the radioactive effects are still there for at least a short time. The tests done in New Mexico still had nearby residents go to the sites after the bomb tests and got exposed to a lot of radiation. The government didn’t even bother to tell them to stay away for awhile.