The shock wave is most damaging at the site of the explosion. It acts like a very strong, very fast wind. Close to the explosion, it can topple skyscrapers and overturn vehicles. People are injured or killed when buildings collapse. The effect gets weaker the farther the shock wave travels from the center of the blast. The shock wave can be felt many miles from the explosion.
Shockwave Pressure
Percent County
Description
1 PSI
0.32%
Windows shatter
Some trees knocked down
Roof damage to many buildings
Injuries mainly from flying glass or small objects
The explosion sucks up bits of the ground around the bomb, carries them high into the air, blasts them into tiny particles and irradiates them. These particles can be carried hundreds, or even thousands of miles, as they slowly drift down to earth in a a "fallout cloud." Where the cloud passes and lands, it showers radioactivity. Exposure to uncontrolled radioactivity can be harmful to living organisms. Because winds are very unpredictable, the fallout information shown here is based upon the average winds. Small changes in the wind can cause large changes in the results.
Month of Blast
Average Total Rad.*
Description
January
40 Rads
No fatalities
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
No noticeable symptoms
Medical supervision not needed
February
40 Rads
No fatalities
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
No noticeable symptoms
Medical supervision not needed
March
60 Rads
No fatalities
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Possible temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision not needed
April
60 Rads
No fatalities
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
Possible temporary male sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Medical supervision not needed
May
20 Rads
No noticeable effects.
June
40 Rads
No fatalities
Temporary reduced immune system functioning
No noticeable symptoms
Medical supervision not needed
July
670 Rads
90% to 100% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 1 to 6 weeks
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Life-threatening digestive upset
Internal bleeding
Temporary male sterility
Permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Intense medical care required
Treatment: bone marrow transplant
August
700 Rads
90% to 100% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 1 to 6 weeks
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Life-threatening digestive upset
Internal bleeding
Temporary male sterility
Permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Intense medical care required
Treatment: bone marrow transplant
September
690 Rads
90% to 100% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 1 to 6 weeks
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Life-threatening digestive upset
Internal bleeding
Temporary male sterility
Permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Intense medical care required
Treatment: bone marrow transplant
October
680 Rads
90% to 100% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 1 to 6 weeks
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Life-threatening digestive upset
Internal bleeding
Temporary male sterility
Permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Intense medical care required
Treatment: bone marrow transplant
November
800 Rads
90% to 100% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 1 to 6 weeks
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Life-threatening digestive upset
Internal bleeding
Temporary male sterility
Permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Intense medical care required
Treatment: bone marrow transplant
December
790 Rads
90% to 100% fatal.
Death (if occurs) in 1 to 6 weeks
Nausea, loss of appetite
Malaise, fatigue
Hair loss
Life-threatening digestive upset
Internal bleeding
Temporary male sterility
Permanent female sterility
More susceptible to illness and infection
Intense medical care required
Treatment: bone marrow transplant
* = The average fallout received in a one month period following the blasts. Certain areas may receive more or less depending on winds and other factors.
None