Radioactive Fallout in California During the Winter 1961–2

Abstract

Collections of nuclear debris in dry and precipitation fallout samples were made during the winter 1961?2 at Palo Alto and Santa Barbara, Calif., following resumption of nuclear testing by the USSR. The samples were radiochemically analysed for the fallout radionuclides Sr90 and Sr89. The data show the expected increase in radioactivity levels at each location in precipitation following the Soviet detonations. Palo Alto and Santa Barbara, separated by 300 miles, exhibit close similarity in fallout results. Two interesting changes in fallout concentrations were observed which may be attributed to meteorological influences.