1960--French test in Algeria brings radioactive cloud across Mediterranean to Europe. 1961--French Minister for Overseas Territories says "no nuclear tests will ever be made by France in the Pacific Ocean." 1963--Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (prohibiting atmospheric testing). 1963--France announces its nuclear testing would be moved from Algeria to French Polynesia. 1966-74--41 announced atmospheric tests take place at Moruroa, French Polynesia
1973--New Zealand and Australia file action in International Court of Justice against French atmospheric tests, arguing trespess by radioactive materials over their territory and over the high seas. Court issues preliminary order restraining France from continuing tests while case is being decided. 1974--French President Giscard d' Estaing announces that after 1975 all future tests will be conducted underground. International Court of Justice accepts Frances unilateral commitment, and dismisses case as moot.
1979--Two serious accidents occur at Moruroa--the first one kills two workers and seriously injures four others; the second (caused by the detonation of a bomb that became stuck far above its proper location) caused destruction to the test site and a tidal wave that caused damage to neighboring atolls. 1980 (November 28)--Moruroa severely damaged by cyclone; numerous buildings destroyed; 3,000 workers survive by taking refuge (for 24 hours) on platforms 4.5 meters above surface of the atoll. 1981 (March 11)--A second cyclone hits Moruroa.
1983--France develops underground test site at Fangataufa to supplement the Moruroa test site. 1983--New Zealand, Australian, and Papua New Guinea Scientific Mission to Moruroa. 1988--Jacques Cousteau measures presence of cesium-137 in Moruroa lagoon water. 1990--Greenpeace finds cesium-134 in plankton in international waters near Moruroa; France refuses to allow sampling closer to test site.
1960--French test in Algeria brings radioactive cloud across Mediterranean to Europe. 1961--French Minister for Overseas Territories says "no nuclear tests will ever be made by France in the Pacific Ocean." 1963--Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (prohibiting atmospheric testing). 1963--France announces its nuclear testing would be moved from Algeria to French Polynesia. 1966-74--41 announced atmospheric tests take place at Moruroa, French Polynesia
1973--New Zealand and Australia file action in International Court of Justice against French atmospheric tests, arguing trespess by radioactive materials over their territory and over the high seas. Court issues preliminary order restraining France from continuing tests while case is being decided. 1974--French President Giscard d' Estaing announces that after 1975 'all future tests will be conducted underground. International Court of Justice accepts Frances unilateral commitment, and dismisses case as moot.
1979--Two serious accidents occur at Moruroa--the first one kills two workers and seriously injures four others; the second (caused by the detonation of a bomb that became stuck far above its proper location) caused destruction to the test site and a tidal wave that caused damage to neighboring atolls. 1980 (November 28)--Moruroa severely damaged by cyclone; numerous buildings destroyed; 3,000 workers survive by taking refuge (for 24 hours) on platforms 4.5 meters above surface of the atoll. 1981 (March 11)--A second cyclone hits Moruroa.
1983--France develops underground test site at Fangataufa to supplement the Moruroa test site. 1983--New Zealand, Australian, and Papua New Guinea Scientific Mission to Moruroa. 1988--Jacques Cousteau measures presence of cesium-137 in Moruroa lagoon water. 1990--Greenpeace finds cesium-134 in plankton in international waters near Moruroa; France refuses to allow sampling closer to test site.