Sedan Crater
Crater Huge nuclear test crater from 1962 Operation Sedan
On the Nevada test site, Sedan Crater formed after a 1962 nuclear excavation test and leaves a bowl-shaped scar nearly 100 meters deep. Visitors interested in Cold War history and unusual landscapes see it on limited, often guided tours.
Sedan Crater is the large excavation formed by an underground nuclear detonation conducted at the Nevada Test Site on July 6, 1962. The test was designed to study large-scale excavation effects as part of non-military research efforts.
The detonation produced a bowl-shaped crater several hundred meters in diameter and on the order of 100 meters deep, displacing a large volume of earth. The site remains one of the most prominent visible remnants of U.S. nuclear testing in Nevada.
The Sedan test was carried out for scientific and engineering objectives tied to the Operation Plowshare program. Since testing ceased the crater has been visited for study and, under controlled conditions, by the public on scheduled tours.
Sedan Crater is located within the Nevada National Security Site complex, roughly on the Nevada Test Site plateau some 100 km or so northwest of Las Vegas.
- Dimensions: Formed by the Sedan nuclear test on July 6, 1962, the crater measures roughly 100 meters deep and about 390 meters across.
- Context: Part of the Nevada Test Site (now the Nevada National Security Site), the crater was created under a program that investigated peaceful uses of nuclear explosives.
How to Get to Sedan Crater #
The Sedan Crater is on federal land within the Nevada National Security Site area. Access is controlled - public tours are occasionally organized by the Department of Energy and BLM-affiliated programs, but most visits require prior permission and are limited to organized tours. Check official channels for scheduling and access.
Tips for Visiting Sedan Crater #
- Access is restricted; consult the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or appropriate federal agency before attempting to visit.
- Wear protective footwear and stay well back from crater edges - ground near the rim may be unstable after tests.
- Cell reception may be limited; bring a physical map and inform someone of travel plans if accessing remote desert areas.
Best Time to Visit Sedan Crater #
Best visited in autumn to spring for milder desert temperatures; access may be restricted and require permits.
Weather & Climate near Sedan Crater #
Sedan Crater's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 36°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall.
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March
March is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of -1°C. Light rainfall.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 2°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 7°C. Almost no rain.
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June
June is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 5 mm.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 36°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.
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August
August is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain.
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October
October is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall.
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