Welcome back fellow radiation nerds! Today we dive deep into what really happened in the Bayo Canyon!
Bayo Canyon is located east of Los Alamos, New Mexico and it is a place of striking natural beauty. With its breathtaking landscapes, towering cliffs, and vibrant wildlife, one might assume this area has been a peaceful retreat for ever, but in the 1940s, a series of powerful explosions shocked this place, leaving behind a legacy that endures to this day.
History
During the Manhattan Project, a team of scientists led by high explosive expert, George Kistiakowsky, was tasked with studying the behaviour of radioactive materials under extreme conditions. Their work was critical to the development of the plutonium implosion-type bomb just like the bomb Fat-Man which was later used over Nagasaki.
A total of 242 tests were conducted in Bayo Canyon, with each test using several hundred curies of radioactive materials, primarily radioactive Lanthanum-140 often referred to as “RaLa”, which has a half-life of just 40 hours , however, Lanthanum was not the only radioactive element used .
These tests continued until 1961 and in 1976, the government initiated a cleanup of the area, burying radioactive contaminants deep underground. Yet, to this day, debris can be easily found around the location of the test site with some pieces still exhibiting traces of radioactivity.
Today the Bayo Canyon has slightly elevated activity, though I’m not sure if it’s contamination from the test or is it from natural sources, as I’ve recorded the same increased activity pretty much through out my entire hike to the location of the test site.
Analysis of the samples collected
During my exploration of the canyon, I discovered around two dozen pieces, including metal shrapnel and cable wiring. When inspected closely, you can see how the intense force of the explosions tore the metal apart with ease.
From all the pieces I found, one appears to be radioactivity and clocks around 2000 CPM on my Ludlum Model 3 with a 44-9 probe at 1cm distance. This discovery was particularly intriguing, given that all radioactive Lanthanum-140 should have decayed by now. Curious to uncover its source, I conducted a gamma spectrum analysis of the sample using my RAYSID gamma spectrometer.
The analysis reveals peaks at 63, 93, and 186 keV, which are characteristic for Uranium. Given the small size of the peak at 186 keV, it’s likely that the sample contains depleted uranium instead of regular one as U-235 was in high demand for the production of the uranium bomb, Little Boy, which was later used over Hiroshima.
Conclusion
If you find yourself in Los Alamos with some time to spare, I highly recommend hiking through Bayo Canyon. Whether you’re a nuclear physics enthusiast or a casual tourist, the canyon offers stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and a unique glimpse into the history of atomic bomb development. The hike is about 1.5 hours one way, so be sure to bring plenty of water and prepare accordingly!
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