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1961 Map of Rainier Mesa

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Rainier Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Nevada Test Site Area 12 and Area 14 dominate this 1961 survey, revealing a landscape defined by the early Cold War atomic testing program. Mapped in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission, the terrain is marked by specialized infrastructure, including a Radioactive Waste Dump, a High Explosive Test Area, and High Explosive Storage. Amidst the high-tech testing grounds, traditional desert landmarks remain, such as Whiterock Spring and Captain Jack Spring, which contrast with the modern industrial footprint of numerous Drill Holes and Vents.

The physical geography is anchored by the Belted Range and the high plateau of Pahute Mesa. Notable topographic features like Egg Point and Survey Butte overlook Tongue Wash, while the northern reaches include the high-elevation basin of Gold Meadows. This document serves as a specialized record of a high-security military landscape before later expansions changed the footprint of these testing zones.