How many nuclear tests have there been, and where did they take place?
As of June 1, 1998, there have been 2,051 nuclear tests. About one-fourth, or 528, have been conducted in the atmosphere; the rest were underground. In September 1996, the five declared nuclear powers signed a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, first proposed in 1954. Under the terms of the treaty, no further nuclear tests are to be conducted. Neither India nor Pakistan, both of which tested nuclear devices in May 1998, have signed the CTBT. For more in-depth information, please see our November/December 1998 Nuclear Notebook. Atmosphere Underground Total United States 215 815 1,030 Russia 219 496 715 France 50 160 210 Britain 21 24 45 China 23 22 45 Grand Total 2,051* *Please note that the grand total includes three underground tests conducted by India and two by Pakistan in May 1998, and one underground test conducted by India on May 18, 1974.
