N. Ahmed¹

¹TBA21 Academy

Abstract:

France conducted atmospheric and underground nuclear weapons tests on and around the atoll of Moruroa and Fangataufa in the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia between 1966 and 1996. The poster outlines a project for raising public awareness on the history and impact of these 193 tests. It explores the legacy of the nuclear testing in French Polynesia through gathering spatial evidence in the form of maps, media and visualizations based on declassified and freely available environmental monitoring data. The historical material is supported by data collected from an expedition to the Tuamotu Archipelago aboard the research vessel of TBA21 Academy in July 2016. While it was not possible to access the former testing sites, the expedition conducted interviews with local veteran organizations, government officials and researchers in several islands. Further research is needed to assess current state of radiological and environmental impacts in French Polynesia as a historical case that can advance the prohibition of nuclear testing.