Isao Hashimoto: Time-Lapse Video of All Nuclear Explosions on Earth, 1945-1998

Japanese artist Isao Hashimoto created this beautiful yet terrifying time-lapse map of the 2,053 nuclear explosions on earth between 1945 and 1998, beginning with the Manhattan Project’s “Trinity” test near Los Alamos and concluding with Pakistan’s nuclear tests in May 1998. The video leaves out all tests since 1998, including North Korea’s questionable nuclear tests.

Each nation gets a blip and a flashing dot on the map whenever that country detonates a nuclear weapon. A running tally appears on the top and bottom bars of the screen. look for the national flags to pop up as countries enter the “nuclear club.”

Hashimoto began the project in 2003, saying his goal was showing “the fear and folly of nuclear weapons.” The video starts very slowly  in 1945 and builds momentum with the crescendo starting around 1962, tapering off only recently. The overall effect is overwhelming and chilling.

Ideally, this video motivates you to  effectively advocate the peaceful resolution of our world conflicts.


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