Editing Kiritimati (section)

===Nuclear bomb tests===
{{See also|Operation Grapple|Operation Dominic}}
During the [[Cold War]] Kiritimati was used for [[nuclear weapons testing]] by the United Kingdom and the US.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theconversation.com/the-atomic-history-of-kiritimati-a-tiny-island-where-humanity-realised-its-most-lethal-potential-114870 |title=The atomic history of Kiritimati – a tiny island where humanity realised its most lethal potential |publisher=The Conversation |date=4 July 2019 |access-date=3 December 2021}}</ref> The United Kingdom conducted its first [[hydrogen bomb]] test series, [[Operation Grapple|Grapple 1–3]], at [[Malden Island]] from 15&nbsp;May to 19 June 1957 and used Kiritimati as the operation's main base. On 8 November 1957, the first H-bomb was detonated over the southeastern tip of Kiritimati in the [[Grapple X]] test. Subsequent tests in 1958 ([[Grapple Y]] and [[Grapple Z|Z]]) also took place above or near Kiritimati.

The United Kingdom detonated some {{convert|5|MtTNT}} of nuclear payload near and {{convert|1.8|MtTNT}} directly above Kiritimati in 1957–1958, while the total yield of weapons tested by the United States in the vicinity of the island between 25&nbsp;April and 11&nbsp;July 1962 was {{convert|24|MtTNT}}. During the British [[Grapple X]] test, [[Nuclear weapon yield|yield]] was stronger than expected, resulting in the blast demolishing buildings and infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ctbto.org/specials/testing-times/8-november-1957-grapple-x |title=8 November 1957 – Grapple X |publisher=Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization |access-date=3 December 2021}}</ref> Islanders were usually not evacuated during the nuclear weapons testing, and data on the environmental and public health impact of these tests remains contested.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.justsecurity.org/56127/devastating-legacy-british-american-nuclear-testing-kiritimati-christmas-malden-islands/ |title=The Devastating Legacy of British and American Nuclear Testing at Kiritimati (Christmas) and Malden Islands  |publisher=Just Security |date=11 May 2018 |access-date=3 December 2021}}</ref> Servicemen believe that cancer and genetic damage were consequences of their occupational exposure and have sought apologies and compensation without success.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-02-16 |title=DNA tests for UK's nuclear bomb veterans |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-43075718 |access-date=2023-01-31}}</ref> A spokesperson for the UK's [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] stated in 2018 that "the [[National Radiological Protection Board]] has carried out three large studies of nuclear test veterans and found no valid evidence to link participation in these tests to ill health."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-06-18 |title=Nuclear test veteran wants government apology over blasts |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-derbyshire-44508192 |access-date=2023-01-31}}</ref>

The United States also conducted 22&nbsp;successful nuclear detonations over the island as part of [[Operation Dominic]] in 1962. Some toponyms (like ''Banana'' and ''Main Camp'') come from the nuclear testing period, during which at times over 4,000&nbsp;servicemen were present. By 1969, military interest in Kiritimati had ended and the facilities were mostly dismantled. However, some communications, transport, and logistics facilities were converted for civilian use, which Kiritimati uses to serve as the administrative centre for the Line Islands.<ref name="teebaki1993" />

<gallery>
Grapple Y test.jpg|The British ''Grapple Y'' test on 28 April 1958
Kiritimati bomb anchor.jpg|The bombs for the British ''Grapple Z1'' and ''Z4'' tests were hoisted by balloon; this is the East Point balloon anchor.
Project 26 - Operation Dominic (Johnston Island; Christmas Island; Maui, Hawaii) Detonation.jpg|A US test in the ''[[Operation Dominic]]'' series, 1962 
Memorial tablet in Paisley.jpg|Memorial tablet in [[Paisley (Scotland)|Paisley]] remembering the people involved in the tests
</gallery>