What happened to all the weapons from the arms race in the 80's?

[Arkitech]

I remember reading articles that said there is enough nuclear and atomic weapons produced to blow up the planet hundreds of times. So what happens to all of those warheads, are they just lying around in some silo out in Nevada? Are they leaking into the ground in Iowa somewhere?

me shivers

 

[K1052]

After the weapons are disassembled the nuclear components (HEU or Plutonium) are eventually diluted to reactor grade fuel and burned up in US and Japanese power reactors to produce electrcity.

 

[ruffilb]

One word:

Iran.

 

[waitman]

Originally posted by: ruffilb
Two words:
North Korea & Iran.

Fixed

 

[z0mb13]

Duh they were tossed by superman to the sun!

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
I remember reading articles that said there is enough nuclear and atomic weapons produced to blow up the planet hundreds of times. So what happens to all of those warheads, are they just lying around in some silo out in Nevada? Are they leaking into the ground in Iowa somewhere?

me shivers

It's quite sad that you assume the worst.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Arkitech
I remember reading articles that said there is enough nuclear and atomic weapons produced to blow up the planet hundreds of times. So what happens to all of those warheads, are they just lying around in some silo out in Nevada? Are they leaking into the ground in Iowa somewhere?

me shivers

It's quite sad that you assume the worst.

And why not? He's a pessimistic guy, give him a break.

 

[thecrecarc]

Originally posted by: waitman

Originally posted by: ruffilb
Three words and one symbol:
North Korea & Iran.

Fixed

Fixed X2

 

[Heisenberg]

A large number have been disassembled yes, but we still have enough in our current arsenal to destroy the world, so don't worry about it.

 

[Atheus]

According to this

http://qntm.org/destroy

All the nuclear weapons in the world couldn't blow up the planet at all, couldn't even scratch the surface.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: K1052
After the weapons are disassembled the nuclear components (HEU or Plutonium) are eventually diluted to reactor grade fuel and burned up in US and Japanese power reactors to produce electrcity.

Shouldn't the thread have ended here?

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee

Originally posted by: K1052
After the weapons are disassembled the nuclear components (HEU or Plutonium) are eventually diluted to reactor grade fuel and burned up in US and Japanese power reactors to produce electrcity.

Shouldn't the thread have ended here?

ATOT threads rarely end at the correct answer...

 

[everman]

A few years ago an "agreement" with Russia was reached concerning the disposal of much of the plutonium they have in storage. Nothing has been done with it yet.

 

[FoBoT]

nope, don't worry

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Atheus
According to this

http://qntm.org/destroy

All the nuclear weapons in the world couldn't blow up the planet at all, couldn't even scratch the surface.

No kidding. I find it amazing that people actually believe that crap about "blowing up the planet 523 times".

 

[HomeAppraiser]

It's not our nukes I'm worried about Link.

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: Atheus
According to this

http://qntm.org/destroy

All the nuclear weapons in the world couldn't blow up the planet at all, couldn't even scratch the surface.

The planet would be intact. It's just that there wouldn't be anything living on it. Radioactive fallout, radiation sickness, and nuclear winter FTL.

To answer the OP's question, many weapons were disassembled, and the nuclear material was made into fuel for nuclear power plants. Other nuclear waste from this dissassembling, and many other type of nuclear waste, including used fuel from nuclear power plants, is currently lying around the country in semi-secure holding pens and pools at the various nuclear facilities. Some of that will be buried until the end of time underneath Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
The nukes that weren't disassembled are being refurbished so that they can stay in the arsenal. Every single American aircraft carrier sails with a number of atomic weapons, probably enough to vaporize anything living in North Korea or Iran as soon as the carrier group can launch the planes to deliver them.

 

[wazzledoozle]

The US more or less takes care of and disposes of nuclear waste fine, but Russia doesnt care. Cant fund a silo anymore? Strip it and fill it with concrete. Lots of warheads still sitting around in the former USSR AFAIK.

 

[Ayah]

The big superpowers have decompiled or disposed of part of their nuclear arms. Don't know any specifics though

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
A large number have been disassembled yes, but we still have enough in our current arsenal to destroy the world, so don't worry about it.

whew, I was getting worried