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Word from the Pentagon...

Posted by Word Camel on February 15, 2002

In Reply to: Ground-Zero posted by Word Camel on February 15, 2002

: : Does anyone have a clue where the term "ground zero" came from?

: I think it's may have to do with nuclear testing. I think 0 is the point where the bomb detonated and then points beyond the center of the blast are plotted outward. When nuclear bombs were tested, animals, houses, (and some conspiracists say mental patients and soldiers) were put at various distances from the center of the blast to test the effectiveness of the weapon. I'll see if I can find anything more official.

: WC

From the DOD dictionary of militaty terms:

(DOD, NATO) The point on the surface of the Earth at, or vertically below or above, the center of a planned or actual nuclear detonation. See also actual ground zero; desired ground zero.

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