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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Initial Effects of Nuclear Weapons

In order to prepare yourself to survive in a nuclear environment you must have a clear understanding of what to expect and how to react to a nuclear threat. The initial effects of a nuclear weapon are typically classified as occurring during the initial blast, up to one minute after the explosion.

The principle events that cause the initial damage are the blast and radiation.

A blast occurs immediately after detonation and can be described as the rapid movement of air away from the center of detonation along with the accompanying pressure. Strong winds typically are experienced as a result of a nuclear detonation. Blasts are so overwhelmingly powerful that they can hurl personnel and debris, collapse lungs, rupture eardrums, collapse buildings and cause immediate death and injury. The rapid movement of air has a crushing effect on everything that stands in its way.

Another by-product of a nuclear explosion is thermal radiation. When a nuclear weapon explodes it produces a powerful fireball. This fireball emits intense heat and light. Thermal radiation will cause extensive fires, burns, and flash blindness.

Up to one minute after the initial detonation, the blast will produce intensive gamma radiation. This radiation can cause a host of problems in the exposed individual. From severe headaches to nausea, vomiting diarrhea, and even death. The major problem for anyone caught in this situation is that you will have no control over how much radiation you are exposed to. More than likely, the blast will catch you off guard and you will not have enough time to seek shelter. In one minute you could receive a lethal dose of radiation.

Related Articles:
You Can Survive a Nuclear Blast
Is the Threat of Suitcase Nukes Real?
A Nuclear Bomb Just Detonated...Now What
Protect Yourself From a Nuclear Blast
Can One Nuclear Weapon Cripple America?



Original: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SurviveTheWorst/~3/58Jswee0LEs/effects-of-nuclear-weapons.html

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