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| Shock waves from the
explosion were detected at Kew
Observatory |
|
1961: World condemns Russia's nuclear
test |
Artificially 1969:
The Russia has
exploded the world's largest ever nuclear device provoking widespread
condemnation from around the world.
The device believed to 50 megatons, equivalent to be 50 million tons of
TNT, caused the biggest ever man-made explosion.
The test, the 26th in the current series, was carried out over the
Arctic island of Novaya Zemlya despite repeated objections from the West.
Shockwaves from the explosion were first picked up at the seismological
institute at Uppsala in Sweden at 0830 hours GMT.
They were two-and-a-half times as powerful as Russia's last test, which
was carried out a week ago using a 30 megaton weapon,
A spokesman at the Kew Observatory in Britain where shockwaves from the
explosion were recorded at about 1151 hours GMT said: "This was a big one
alright.
"It's the largest such recording I have ever known."
A Foreign Ministry spokesman in Russia refused to make any comment.
Earlier today the United Nations had sent an official appeal asking
Russia not to continue with its nuclear testing programme.
Lord Home, British Foreign minister, said, in a statement: "The British
government wholeheartedly deplores the news of this latest and largest of
the Russian nuclear explosions.
"Eighty-seven nations appealed to the Soviet leaders to spare the world
the explosion of the 50-megaton bomb, which endangers the health of many
millions of people.
"The British government share the indignation which will be universally felt
at this wanton disregard for the welfare and safety of the human race."
The United States government insists it has known for many years how to
make 50 and 100-megaton bombs but remains convinced that smaller weapons
are more effective.
A White House spokesperson said: "It is a scientific fact that five 20
megaton weapons will cause more damage than one 100 megaton weapon."
