1995 Sun Herald: Dome chronology

1995 Sun Herald: Dome chronology

The Lamar County salt dome is 5,000 feet in diameter and begins about 1,500 feet below the surface. The Atomic Energy Commission carried out four seismic experiments there between 1964 and 1970. Atomic explosions were detonated in 1964 and 1966, and gas explosions were ignited in 1969 and 1970.

n The cavity created by these tests is about 2,600 feet below the surface. The top of the cavity is about 1,160 feet below the top of the salt dome.

n The site was closed in 1972. Monitoring for radiation leaks has continued. The 1,500-acre spread was bought the Department of Energy in 1994 for $2.25 million.

n Now called the Salmon Site, the test area is named after the project designation of the first test blast. The name was changed from the Tatum Dome at the request of former owner, Paul Tatum.

-- Compiled by Patrick Peterson

Site facts:

Monitoring programs at the Salmon Site have shown:

n The Salt dome is intact and not leaking.

n Tritium, a radioactive form of water, from deep wells around the site is not abnormal.

n Minor tritium contamination brought to the surface by drilling activities is not a threat to public health.

n Surveys by the state Department of Health, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and the U.S. Department of Energy show cancer levels in Lamar County are similar to national levels.

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 2:56 PM with the headline "1995 Sun Herald: Dome chronology ."