Anita Ruthling Klaussen

(28 July) A very mountainous group of islands that was a major site for testing of nuclear explosions from 1954-1999. During the period, 132 detonations, at sea, in the atmosphere and underground were conducted. In particular, on 30 October 1961, there was an explosion of the 544 megaton, Tsar Bomba, the largest, most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated.  We were not in danger, being away from the testing site.

      We had trouble finding a landing site, but when we did, in MAKA BAY, our zodiacs took us to an area with thousands of little auks and more mossy areas with rivulets.