The testing of atomic and thermonuclear bombs can provide various types of information, including how these extremely destructive weapons work, how they perform under different conditions, and how natural and man-made structures, as well as organisms, react when subjected to nuclear explosions. Atomic and thermonuclear bomb testing has been used frequently to manifest both military and scientific power, especially during the Cold War. In fact, most, if not all, tests were initiated with explicit political intention, often with little regard for the ecological consequences.

Here, for the first time, we present an up-to-date regional review of the main direct and indirect atmospheric, geological, and ecological effects of nuclear testing in Remote Oceania. In the process, we draw attention to short- and long-term environmental consequences of this testing as well as the human motivations and mistakes involved in these nuclear experiments.