A Crater Formed by Gas Erosion of a Nuclear Explosion Vent

Abstract The PALANQUIN experiment was a 4.3 kiloton nuclear explosion detonated at a depth of 280 feet (85.3 m) in layered trachytic volcanic rocks at the Nevada Test Site. The resulting apparent crater had an unusual conical shape and dimensions of 119.1 feet (36.3 m) radius, and 78.8 feet (24.0 m) depth. The crater volume was 46,800 cubic yards (35,570 cubic meters).