A photographer enjoys the protection of his shark cage as many healthy and hungry gray reef sharks patrol the area. Scientists were sent to Rongelap Atoll to study the lingering effects of a nuclear mega-bomb detonated by the United States there in 1954. Despite the disturbing number of abnormal births and other radiogenic illnesses affecting the human population, life below the surface of Rongelap seemed to be quite healthy in 1996.

(Text adapted from and photograph shot on assignment for, but not published in, "Testing the Waters of Rongelap," April 1998, National Geographic magazine.)