How do governments and militaries test out nuclear weapons without creating disastrous effects on the environment/ecosystem?

Question

Just like the title says, I don’t understand how they can test nuclear bombs in the desert, or Bikini Atoll (in the ocean) without permanently irradiating the ecosystem (and consequently, Earth) beyond repair.

They’ve tested dozens and dozens of nuclear bombs throughout the years, and I’m confused why that hasn’t messed our world up?

In: 352

Answer 1

Radiation from nuclear weapons will only last a few years at most while the radiation from a nuclear power plant disaster will last for thousands of year. Hiroshima is a habitable and prosperous city today.