How are the blast zones calculated?
The simulator uses the Scaling Law of nuclear explosions. Unlike linear growth, the radius of a blast wave grows in relation to the cube root of the energy released (the yield).
The mathematical formula for the radius ($R$) based on yield ($Y$) is generally expressed as:
Where $C$ is a constant based on the specific effect (pressure, heat, or radiation) and $Y$ is the yield in kilotons. This is why a 50,000kt bomb isn't 50,000 times larger than a 1kt bomb—it is roughly 37 times larger in radius.
What do the different zones represent?
- 🔥 Fireball: The area where the weapon itself consumed everything. Temperatures here are hotter than the surface of the sun. Survival rate: 0%.
- 💥 Heavy Blast: Characterized by a massive overpressure wave (approx. 20 psi). Most concrete buildings are destroyed or severely damaged.
- ☀️ Thermal Radiation: This zone causes third-degree burns to exposed skin and ignites flammable materials (newspaper, dry wood), often leading to widespread firestorms.
How accurate is this data?
This tool is for educational purposes only. It uses simplified mathematical models based on publicly available data from organizations like FEMA and historical reports from the Manhattan Project. Real-world variables like altitude (airburst vs. ground burst), weather, and local geography (hills vs. flat plains) would drastically change these results.
What is a "Kiloton"?
A kiloton (kt) is a unit of energy equal to the explosive force of 1,000 metric tons of TNT. Modern strategic warheads usually range from 100kt to 800kt, while the "Tsar Bomba" remains the largest ever detonated at approximately 50,000kt.