French authorities say nuclear tests conducted on Mururoa have not caused parts of the atoll to collapse but merely accelerated natural geological movements, which have now stopped.
The Government yesterday asked France for an explanation of reports that large sections of the atoll were falling into the sea after 178 explosions in 30 years.
But Jacques Bouchet, of the French Atomic Energy Commission, said the atoll was not collapsing and its volcanic base had not been touched.
South Pacific countries have warned for years that Mururoa could crack open, releasing radioactive pollution from scores of test holes into the sea.
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