1961 Map of Ammonia Tanks

About this map

Nevada Test Site operations define this high-altitude landscape during the early 1960s, a period when the Area 18 sector was being mapped for nuclear research. The terrain is characterized by massive volcanic landforms including the southern edge of Pahute Mesa and the flat expanse of Buckboard Mesa. Significant topographical markers like Blacktop Buttes and Rattlesnake Ridge stand over a network of canyons and ridges, including Silent Canyon, Split Canyon, and Split Ridge. The presence of the Ammonia Tanks and Stockade Road indicates the early infrastructure developed for the Atomic Energy Commission. Beyond the testing grounds, the map documents natural landmarks such as Landmark Rock and Big Burn Valley, alongside isolated Cave sites. This survey, compiled from 1959 aerial photography and 1961 field checks, provides a technical view of a high-security government range at the height of the Cold War.