Bikini Atoll

Bikini Atoll
Photo in the Public Domain.

The Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site comprises the terrestrial and underwater remains of a military system that characterized the Cold War.

Between 1946 and 1958, 23 nuclear devices were detonated at Bikini Atoll by the USA. The local inhabitants were displaced and the tests had major consequences on the geology and natural environment of Bikini Atoll and on the health of those who were exposed to radiation. It was the start of the ‘nuclear era’, the race to develop increasingly powerful nuclear weapons and it gave rise to international movements advocating nuclear disarmament.

Community Perspective: this site has been unreviewed so far, but it can be reached by live-aboard shipwreck dive trips.

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Map of Bikini Atoll

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Site Info

Full Name
Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site
Unesco ID
1339
Country
Marshall Islands
Inscribed
2010
Type
Cultural
Criteria
4 6
Categories
Structure - Memorials and Monuments
Link
By ID

Site History

2010 Advisory Body overruled

ICOMOS advised Referral, to "Draw up an inventory of the land-based properties that contribute to the value of the property; inscribe the most important of these on the national historic sites list;"

2010 Name change

To add "Nuclear Test Site" to the name, on the instigation of ICOMOS during the evaluation process.

2010 Inscribed

Site Links

Unesco Website
Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site
Official Website

Welcome to Bikini Atoll

Related

Report on a recent tourist canoe trip to Bikini

Radiation, climate force Bikini Islanders to seek US refuge

Nuclear issues - a site on the nuclear testing in Bikini and their ongoing impact

US repatriations for damages to the Bikinians

In the News

Bikini Atoll nuclear test: 60 years later and islands still unliveable (2014.03.03)

Bikini Atoll in Marshall Islands Chosen as World Heritage Site (2010.08.04)

Bikini Atoll submitted for listing as World Heritage Site (2009.02.20)

Locations

The site has 1 locations

Bikini Atoll

Connections

The site has

Ecology
Sharks: "particularly high concentration of several shark species that are considered threatened including gray reef shark, reef whitetip shark"
Geography
Pacific Ocean
Formerly inhabited islands: Was first evacuated in Mar 1946 for the Atomic Tests which.In June 1968 LBJ promised the islanders that a clean up would enable them to return - this started in 1969. But in 1978 medical examinations identified high radiation levels in the population and another evacuation took place. In 1998 an IAEA advisory group "recommended that Bikini Island should not be permanently resettled under the present radiological conditions. This recommendation was based on the assumption that persons resettling on the island would consume a diet of entirely locally produced food." This remains the situation with Bikinians pursuing law suits against the US for a proper clean up. The atoll remains open with conditions for limited and self sufficient dive and sports fishing tourism
Located in a microstate: Bikini - Marshall Islands 181sq kms/62000
Situated in one of the SIDS: Marshall Islands 2010
Uninhabited islands
Isolated WHS: Roughly 2,645 KM from East Rennell
Atoll
Micronesia
History
Historical Events: First test of a practicable Hydrogen Bomb Mar 1 1957
Cold War: "In the wake of World War II, in a move closely related to the beginnings of the Cold War, the United States of America decided to resume nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean, on Bikini Atol" (unesco website)
Sieges and Battles: The islands remained relatively unscathed by the war until February 1944, when in a bloody battle, the American forces captured Kwajalein Atoll. At the battle's conclusion, there were only five surviving Japanese soldiers left on Bikini, and they chose to commit suicide rather than allow themselves to be captured.
Human Activity
Thanatourist destination: apparentlye there are some tourist facilities (AB ev)
Memories of recent conflicts
Nuclear power: "an outstanding example of a nuclear test site" (OUV)
Science and Technology
Underwater Archaeology: The Atomic Tests resulted in the sinking of a large number of "test ships". Their underwater remains are referred to in the Nomination File and are part of the site's OUV, They have been the subject of underwater archaeological studies
Timeline
Built in the 20th century: Nuclear test site from 1946 to 1958
Trivia
Built or owned by Americans: Following the end of World War II, Bikini came under the control of the United States as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Cultural sites taking up an entire island
Built or owned by Japanese: "In the early 1900's the Japanese began to administer the Marshall Islands.... The Bikini islanders' life of harmony drew to an abrupt close when the Japanese decided to build and maintain a watchtower on their island to guard against an American invasion of the Marshalls."
Largest cultural WHS: 73,500 ha
Scuba Dive Liveaboard
Visiting conditions
Takes more than 5 days to visit: Visitable by private yachts, or you could join a shipwreck diving tour - the nearest international airport is at Majuro, and from there it takes 3 days at sea.
One thousand visitors or fewer: DD : “Tourist facilities have remained very limited up to now, but some accommodation capacity does exist, particularly on the islet of Eneu, with a set of buildings
Most Remote Cultural WHS: hub Majuro, 3 days sailing from there
World Heritage Process
Only WHS in their country: Marshall Islands
First sites filling gaps cited by ICOMOS: Nuclear energy 2010
First inscriptions: Marshall Islands 2010

Visitors

Community Members have visited.

The Plaque

No plaque has been identified yet for this site.