LONDON — A sobering new simulation illustrates how a nuclear explosion would brutally impact the human body, shedding light on both the raw physics and the medical consequences of such an event.
Shockwave and Burns
In the moments after detonation, a massive fireball—hotter than the sun’s core—heats the air and radiates intense thermal energy. At close range, this causes catastrophic burns—often third- or fourth-degree—over nearly the entire body surface.
Within seconds, a blast wave arrives. Traveling at hundreds of miles per hour, it sweeps through skin, rips organs apart, and shatters bones. Respiratory systems collapse under sudden pressure shifts.
Radiation and Fallout
The initial radiation burst—primarily neutrons and gamma rays—could be fatal within about a mile (1.6 km) of ground zero. This is followed by lingering radioactive fallout that contaminates air, water, and soil. Exposure to these particles can trigger Acute Radiation Syndrome, involving nausea, internal bleeding, bone marrow failure, and, if untreated, death.
Survivors face long-term health risks—such as cancers, cataracts, genetic damage, and fertility issues—from even moderate radiation exposure years after detonation.
Shelter Realities
Surprisingly, shelter offers only partial protection. Advanced simulations show that being inside a sturdy concrete building can reduce exposure. However, corridors and doorways may amplify the shockwave’s effect, and breaches in walls or windows can negate any advantage, leaving inhabitants vulnerable.
Zones of Destruction
Using models based on a mid-yield (10–30 kt) blast, the simulation divides the affected area into zones:
- Ground zero (within ~200 m): Instant vapourisation.
- 200–350 m: Surfaces and structures obliterated; fatal thermal exposure.
- 350–600 m: Shrapnel, blunt trauma, collapsed lungs.
- 600 –1,200 m: Severe burns, radiation injuries, possible blindness and deafness.
- 1.2–2 km: Flash burns, immediate blindness, radiation exposure—survival unlikely.
Beyond this range, people may survive the initial blast but still face grave risks from lingering radiation and injured infrastructure.
Long-term Fallout
Radioactive fallout doesn’t disappear overnight—it can persist for days, spreading over hundreds of kilometres depending on wind conditions. Contaminated food and water pose ongoing health risks long after the explosion.
Why This Simulation Matters
This detailed model isn’t just theoretical—it underscores why nuclear weapons remain the most destructive arms ever invented. Beyond immediate fatalities, the aftereffects of radiation and infrastructure collapse could devastate survivors and flatten communities for generations.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.