Muroa

Muroa is a small atoll located in the southern Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia, within the Pacific Ocean. It is situated approximately 400 kilometers southwest of Tahiti and is part of the administrative division of the Austral Islands. The atoll consists of a narrow coral reef encircling a shallow lagoon, with a total land area of around 1.5 square kilometers. Muroa is notable for its historical significance in nuclear testing.

During the mid-20th century, Muroa was chosen as a testing site for France’s nuclear weapons program. The first nuclear test, named Gerboise Bleue (Blue Jerboa), was conducted on February 2, 1966, marking the beginning of France’s independent nuclear arsenal. Over the following decades, numerous atmospheric and underground nuclear tests were carried out on the atoll, including the largest French nuclear explosion, Canopus, detonated on August 24, 1971. These tests contributed to France’s status as a recognized nuclear power.

Due to the environmental and health concerns raised by the nuclear tests, France eventually halted atmospheric testing in 1974 and shifted to underground detonations. The last nuclear test on Muroa took place on January 29, 1996, following international pressure and public opposition. The atoll was subsequently declared a restricted area, and access was limited to authorized personnel.

Today, Muroa is largely uninhabited, though it remains under the jurisdiction of French Polynesia. The site has been the subject of ongoing environmental monitoring and cleanup efforts to address contamination from the tests. The atoll’s remoteness and historical association with nuclear testing have made it a point of interest for discussions on nuclear disarmament, environmental policy, and the legacy of Cold War-era weapons development.