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A Time-Lapse Map of Every Nuclear Explosion Since 1945 - by Isao Hashimoto

aConcernedHuman · other · Watch on YouTube

Data visualization & information designMilitary history & warfare

What it is

Isao Hashimoto's time-lapse map shows all 2053 nuclear explosions between 1945 and 1998, with each nation getting a blip and a running tally. Each second represents one month.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Used as a striking visualization of the sheer scale and rhythm of nuclear testing, and as a model for conveying scale with a counter.

  • 2 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2013, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “One of the most fascinating things is seeing how every string of nuclear tests in Russia were quickly followed by many more detonations in the US.”

    Time-lapse showing US and Russian test series following each other.

    malandrew, 2013-09 · Recommendation · in “Want to See China’s Latest Top Secret Military Site? Just Google It”

  2. “It really puts into perspective just how many nukes have gone off for purposes other than to kill people.”

    Time-lapse of 2053 nuclear detonations, over 1000 by America.

    sillysaurus3, 2014-10 · Recommendation · in “The USSR used a nuclear charge to stop a gas well fire in 1966”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: nuclear weapons, time-lapse, data visualization, cold war, art

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