This is the second test site in the area - the Degelen Mountains.
Over 280 tunnels have been dug horizontally into the Degelen Mountains. In isolated side tunnels (lateral 'drifts'), nuclear bombs once were tested. With the departure of the USSR, this site was left relatively unguarded. Wandering nomads entered these tunnels to gather the wire left behind. They burned the casing from the wire and left behind the radioactive ash. Sadly, children were used to enter the tight spaces and gather the copper. (Images 2-3)
The ash from the burned wires was quite radioactive. To avoid this, a radiation meter (dangling near Eric's foot - Image 4) cautions scientists as they walk near the Degelen tunnels. The Kazakh's are very cautious about safety of everyone involved.
