The first PNE blast was Project Gnome , conducted on December 10 , 1961 in a salt bed 24 mi ( 39 km ) southeast of Carlsbad , New Mexico . The explosion released 3.1 kilotons ( 13 TJ ) of energy yield at a depth of 361 meters ( 1,184 ft ) which resulted in the formation of a diameter , high cavity . The test had many objectives . The most public of these involved the generation of steam which could then be used to generate electricity . Another objective was the production of useful radioisotopes and their recovery . Another experiment involved neutron time-of-flight physics . A fourth experiment involved geophysical studies based upon the timed seismic source . Only the last objective was considered a complete success . The blast unintentionally vented radioactive steam while the press watched . The partly developed Project Coach detonation experiment that was to follow adjacent to the Gnome test was then canceled
Project Gnome
Project Gnome
Project Plowshare