History and nuclear testing
Relocation: The indigenous people of Bikini Atoll were evacuated in 1946 for Operation Crossroads, a series of atomic bomb tests.
Nuclear tests: Between 1946 and 1958, the U.S. conducted 23 nuclear tests at the atoll, including the detonation of the first H-bomb in 1952.
Damage: The tests caused significant damage, with the 1954 Bravo test being particularly destructive, vaporizing three islands and sending radioactive fallout as far as Australia.
Health effects: The nuclear testing has led to long-term health issues for the local population, and a 1998 report found the atoll was not safe for permanent resettlement.
Present day
Population: The original inhabitants were permanently relocated, and the atoll is currently uninhabited except for a small caretaker workforce.
Diving: Bikini Atoll has become a popular, yet restricted, diving destination known for its underwater shipwreck graveyard.
Rehabilitation: Efforts are underway to rehabilitate the atoll, and the U.S. government continues to provide compensation to the affected people.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010 to recognize its historical significance as a nuclear test site.