Scientists Discover Strange New Crystal Formed by Nuclear Blast
Scientists have discovered a new type of crystal formed during the 1945 Trinity nuclear test in New Mexico, marking the first confirmed clathrate structure resulting from a nuclear explosion. The crystal, found in red trinitite glass, reveals how extreme high-energy events can create novel materials under nonequilibrium conditions. This finding highlights the long-lasting scientific value of studying nuclear test sites and rare geological phenomena.
- ▪Scientists discovered a new clathrate crystal in red trinitite from the Trinity nuclear test site.
- ▪The crystal formed during the extreme conditions of the first nuclear bomb detonation on July 16, 1945.
- ▪This is the first crystallographically confirmed clathrate structure produced by a nuclear explosion.
- ▪High-energy events like nuclear detonations can act as natural laboratories for creating unusual crystalline materials.
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| Original publisher | 404 Media |
| Canonical URL | https://www.404media.co/scientists-discover-strange-new-crystal-formed-by-nuclear-blast/ |
| Publication time | Sat, 16 May 2026 13:00:34 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-16T13:05:18.535Z |
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Welcome back to the Abstract! Here are the studies this week that were long in the tooth, trapped in the lattice, unearthed in Thailand, and entombed in post-apocalyptic waters.First, scientists discover that even Neanderthals had to go to the dentist. Then: a nuke-born crystal, a 60,000-pound herbivore, and life after the death of most species on the planet.As always, for more of my work, check out my book First Contact: The Story of Our Obsession with Aliens or subscribe to my personal newsletter the BeX Files.A trip to the Neanderthal dentistZubova, Alisa V. et al.
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