Nuclear weapons are unparalleled in their capacity for destruction, lack of humanity, and indiscriminate impact. They possess a uniquely persistent and genetically harmful radioactive fallout that sets them apart from all other weapons.
The detonation of a single nuclear bomb over a major city could result in the loss of millions of lives, while the use of multiple bombs would lead to global climate disruption and widespread famine. So how far can the damage of a nuclear bomb reach?
How Big Could a Nuclear Bomb Radius Be?
According to The National WWII Museum's website, the United States was in an unchallengeable position as the world's only possessor of nuclear weapons, especially after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. However, the Soviet Union quickly caught up, aided by the infiltration of British and American atomic weapons programs by spies like Klaus Fuchs.
Both nations conducted open-air tests of atomic weapons, with the Soviets focusing on building increasingly powerful devices. The culmination of their efforts was the Tsar Bomba.
The Tsar Bomba, with a yield of 50 megatons, was over 1,570 times more powerful than the combined bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was delivered by a Tupolev Tu-95 bomber and detonated at an altitude of 13,000 feet to minimize damage to the delivery aircraft.
The explosion created a mushroom cloud that was 25 miles wide at the base and reached 40 miles high, penetrating the stratosphere. The devastation extended up to 150 miles from the impact site, obliterating everything within that radius.
While the radioactive fallout from the Tsar Bomba was reduced due to the high altitude of the detonation, the consequences could have been catastrophic if the bomb's original concept, yielding 100 megatons, had been pursued. The potential fallout posed a significant threat not only to the Soviet Union but also to neighboring countries.
Fortunately, the force of the shockwave repelled the fireball away from the surface, preventing extensive contact with the Earth and reducing the fallout.
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Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of a Nuclear Blast
Nuclear weapons can have catastrophic effects on human health and the environment both in the short-term and long-term aspects. Here's how it will impact humans and the surroundings as per an article on International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons' (ICAN) website:
Short-term
The immediate impact of a nuclear explosion involves a rapidly expanding fireball, releasing immense amounts of energy in the form of blast, heat, and radiation. The blast wave causes widespread destruction, leading to fatalities, injuries, and damage to structures. The intense thermal radiation causes severe burns and ignites fires, resulting in a massive firestorm.
Even individuals seeking refuge in underground shelters would face significant risks due to oxygen depletion and carbon monoxide poisoning. The catastrophic consequences of a nuclear explosion are swift and far-reaching, leaving a lasting impact on affected regions and populations.
Long-Term
The long-term consequences of nuclear weapons are severe, as they produce ionizing radiation that leads to illness, environmental contamination, and lasting health effects, including cancer and genetic damage. Atmospheric nuclear tests conducted between 1945 and 1980 are projected to cause approximately 2.4 million deaths worldwide from cancers.
Even the use of a small fraction of the world's nuclear weapons could disrupt the global climate and potentially result in a nuclear famine, endangering billions of people with starvation. The detonation of thousands of nuclear weapons could lead to a catastrophic nuclear winter, devastating the delicate ecosystem.
The impact of a nuclear detonation on modern cities would overwhelm relief resources, leaving physicians and first responders unable to assist in highly radioactive areas. The resulting refugee crisis from a nuclear war would far exceed any previous humanitarian crisis. The dangers and far-reaching consequences of nuclear weapons highlight the urgent need for disarmament and prevention of their use.
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