Unexploded Ordnance Areas

Unexploded ordnances (UXO) are explosive weapons (bombs, bullets, shells, grenades, mines, etc.) that did not explode when they were employed and still pose a risk of detonation. Ocean disposal of munitions was also an accepted international practice until 1970, when it was prohibited by the Department of Defense. In 1972 Congress also passed the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act banning ocean disposal of munitions and other pollutants. This dataset represents known or possible former explosive dumping areas and UXOs. This is NOT a complete collection of unexploded ordnances on the seafloor, nor are the locations considered to be accurate. Two related datasets should be viewed in tandem: Unexploded Ordnance Locations displays known/possible individual or tightly grouped unexploded ordnances on the ocean floor and Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) displays areas identified by the United States Army Corps of Engineers where unexploded ordnances may exist.