World 'Tsunami bomb' tested off New Zealand coast

[The Helper]

The United States and New Zealand conducted secret tests of a "tsunami bomb" designed to destroy coastal cities by using underwater blasts to trigger massive tidal waves.

The tests were carried out in waters around New Caledonia and Auckland during the Second World War and showed that the weapon was feasible and a series of 10 large offshore blasts could potentially create a 33-foot tsunami capable of inundating a small city.

The top secret operation, code-named "Project Seal", tested the doomsday device as a possible rival to the nuclear bomb. About 3,700 bombs were exploded during the tests, first in New Caledonia and later at Whangaparaoa Peninsula, near Auckland.

The plans came to light during research by a New Zealand author and film-maker, Ray Waru, who examined military files buried in the national archives.

"Presumably if the atomic bomb had not worked as well as it did, we might have been tsunami-ing people," said Mr Waru.

Read more about it here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...sunami-bomb-tested-off-New-Zealand-coast.html

 

[camelCase]

Relevant: http://what-if.xkcd.com/15/

 

[FireCat]

Why even run these tests.. eh?

 

[The Helper]

Actually, these tests were done many years ago. The fact that they were done is just now coming out.

 

[FireCat]

Ah yeah 40+ years ago hmm But still, If they succeeded?

 

[KaerfNomekop]

I wonder what happened to all the fish.

 

[FireCat]

I wonder what happened to all the fish.

Maybe these "poor fishes" ended up on the dinner table?

 

[Fatmankev]

Sounds damaging, given the dense populations often found along coastlines. Great way to hurt a lot of people that're likely just trying to live their lives out. No different than most weapons of that magnitude, I suppose. Warfare is a twisted business.

 

[Varine]

Warfare is a twisted business.

Not really, it's pretty straight forward...

 

[Accname]

Do you think major military construction facilities are build close to the coast line?
I can see a harbor being useful to produce weaponry but the threat of naval attacks might be a bit too big, dont you think?

 

[Varine]

Do you think major military construction facilities are build close to the coast line?
I can see a harbor being useful to produce weaponry but the threat of naval attacks might be a bit too big, dont you think?

I don't understand what you're asking.

 

[Accname]

I don't understand what you're asking.

What would that "tsunami bomb" be good for. You obviously want to hit the enemies military production facilities and not just civil targets.
So does it even make sense to use a tsunami bomb against military structures because what is the chance the enemy has any production near the coast line?

 

[KaerfNomekop]

You obviously want to hit the enemies military production facilities and not just civil targets.

Not always. It could be merely an act of terrorism.

 

[Accname]

Not always. It could be merely an act of terrorism.

The atomic bomb was used to destroy areas with strong industrial production, to stop the military industry. When this tsunami bomb was supposed to be "plan B" then i guess you would not just want to destroy the next best seaside resort.

 

[KaerfNomekop]

The atomic bomb was used to destroy areas with strong industrial production, to stop the military industry.

It could also have been used in a terrorist attack. Of course, the tsunami bomb would be less useful in destroying tactical military buildings, but you could adopt a different tactic of wiping out supply ships and starving out the enemy. Naturally everything still depends on circumstance.

 

[camelCase]

Incite fear, lower morale..

 

[Varine]

What would that "tsunami bomb" be good for. You obviously want to hit the enemies military production facilities and not just civil targets.
So does it even make sense to use a tsunami bomb against military structures because what is the chance the enemy has any production near the coast line?

In a conventional war like WWII where naval bases were one of the most formidable outposts it would be useful. Even now in a war like that, you want to take out civilians as much as possible because if you don't they will very soon become soldiers.