With the advances in the last few days, the world has rekindled its fear that this conflict could jump to the nuclear side. And it is that if the Second World War taught us anything, with the attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it is that a nuclear bomb can always be on the table with devastating consequences both in the short and long term.
Despite the fact that neither Russia nor Ukraine have so far shown a loophole through which a nuclear bomb can be used in the midst of their conflict, this possibility is true when seeing the weapons capacity of both sides, especially as well as from the Ukrainian if direct US-led NATO support came in.
More so since the announcement by President Vladimir Putin that the Russian forces are in a “special service regime”. That is to say, what has opened the fan to this weapon capable of destroying everything in its path. In addition, it should be noted that among all nuclear weapons there are different types: fission, thermonuclear or rainbow bombs.
range of a nuclear bomb
Being able to cause significant damage and a large number of victims due to its explosion, heat and radiation, a nuclear device can be installed in a laptop or fired by a missile. Here one of its great differences differs in terms of range, but as far as its radius is concerned, the most dangerous could leave direct consequences up to a radius of 20 kilometers.
This, taken to the city of Madrid, would cause that with a capacity of 300 kilotons, around 450,000 people would die, as well as almost 800,000 damaged victims. They would have suffered mainly blindness, which could be both temporary and permanent, as well as injuries due to the force emitted by the bomb and pushed by a wind of 255 kilometers per hour.
Effects and consequences of a nuclear bomb
With practically zero probability of taking place in Madrid, the most ‘normal’ thing is that if there were a nuclear war, it would break out between the United States and Russia. Both countries with sufficient capacity for serious consequences, the US (CDC) reports that people exposed to radiation could experience long-term illness, cancer, or even death.
In addition, it would also be harmful to eat food exposed to radiation or to breathe contaminated air, a consequence of what is known as ‘radioactive fallout’. The fire and heat released by the bomb could also lead to burns, while the electromagnetic pulse would kill electrical power equipment even several kilometers from the detonation.
What is the most powerful nuclear bomb?
Until now, according to the data known by the transparency of the different countries, the most powerful nuclear explosion that has been recorded in history took place by what is known as the ‘Tsar Bomb’. This hydrogen bomb was developed by the Soviet Union and detonated on October 30, 1961 over Nova Zembla, an archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean, as a demonstration and for research purposes.
With a weight of 27 tons and a length of 8 meters, its direct consequences were devastating for this controlled territory, which showed that it could be destroyed with cities like Tokyo or New York. With a power 3,800 times more powerful than that recorded in Hiroshima, its energy released is about a quarter of what a volcano can release, as well as twice the solar energy that the Earth receives in one second.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombs
This Tsar Bomb has never been imitated, all those that have been used throughout history have had scientific purposes with the exception of those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These two cities suffered the most tragic consequences of World War II when they received the direct hit of the US on August 6 and 9, 1945.
Under the names of Little Boy and Fat Man, respectively, these attacks led to the death of 120,000 people and the damage of another 130,000 directly. Along with the subsequent consequences, it is estimated that there have been about 250,000 deaths while several people experienced leukemia or cancer, among other fateful consequences. All this led to the surrender of the Empire of Japan, the end of World War II and the prohibition of this country from possessing, manufacturing or introducing nuclear weapons.
nuclear bombs today
Since then, for demonstration purposes, the largest recorded tests in recent years have been reported from North Korea, India and Pakistan. With greater activity in the first State, its last detonation (2016) generated seismic effects on the territories of China and Russia. A Russia on which now, sowing the unknown of how far the forces led by Putin would be willing to go in their war with Ukraine.
How to protect yourself from a nuclear bomb
Both the and the CDC report the most basic protection methods against a nuclear attack. Although it is true that if you are in the perimeter closest to the explosion, there is hardly any provision to protect yourself, if there is prior notice, it is best to stay inside a building, in the center or basement, with as little clothing as possible in case could be contaminated and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Staying indoors until the authorities give notice that it is totally safe to go outside, until then it is advisable not to turn on ventilation devices, use stored food, bottled drinking water and frequently clean the body to remove possible radioactive particles. In addition, from the US Government there is a link for anti-nuclear depending on the location.
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