The blast radius of a nuclear surface burst will vary depending on the building density, meteorological conditions (air pressure, temperature, humidity), terrain. Also, since no specific level of damage or overpressure ring was specified, here are some examples of what to expect:
For a 340 kt surface burst:
We can expect damage up to 12 miles from the hypocenter (broken windows, etc., but capable of causing injuries).
Expect moderate damage to houses and light damage to all structures up to about 5 miles from the hypocenter.
Houses would be destroyed and moderate to severe damage to even reinforced concrete structures at the 5 PSI overpressure ring about 2 miles from the hypocenter.
About 1.6 miles from the hypocenter (7 PSI ring) most large reinforced structures like skyscrapers and the like would be severely damaged or destroyed.
About 1 mile from the hypocenter, pretty much all structures would be destroyed (15 PSI).
That varies with:yieldburst height/depthterrainif subsurface, the material around the burstinversion layer present or absentetc.Using my Nuclear Weapon Effects circular sliderule, assuming distance for 1 psi maximum overpressure as "blast radius":A 1 KTon yield at optimum burst height on flat terrain: 1.35 miles.A 1 KTon yield surface burst on flat terrain: 0.75 miles.A 20 KTon yield at optimum burst height on flat terrain: 3.64 miles.A 20 KTon yield surface burst on flat terrain: 2.00 miles.A 10 MTon yield at optimum burst height on flat terrain: 29 miles.A 10 MTon yield surface burst on flat terrain: 15.8 miles.1 psi maximum overpressure was selected because structural damage to buildings due to blast wave and wind is minor, however glass, plaster, etc. damage will be much further out.
The destructive radius of a five-kiloton nuclear explosion is typically around 500 to 700 meters, resulting in significant destruction of buildings and infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of the blast. This radius can vary depending on factors such as the height of the explosion, terrain, and weather conditions. However, it's important to note that the effects of a nuclear explosion extend far beyond the immediate blast radius due to factors like heat, radiation, and fallout.
The deadly effects of an atomic, or nuclear weapon include heat, radiation and blast. All three of these effects will propagate over a greater surface area if detonated some distance in the air over the target. Assuming the target population is concentrated at or near the surface, such as a city or most military bases, an air burst would be most deadly. If the target is underground in a hardened bunker, then a surface or even subsurface detonation would be more effective.
blast, eruption
An air burst occurs when a nuclear explosion happens in the air rather than on the ground. In this scenario, the fireball does not touch the Earth's surface, making it an aerial detonation. This type of burst can cause widespread damage through the blast wave, heat, and radiation effects.
Cannot answer; depends on the yield, burst height/depth, etc. Some examples of optimal altitude airbursts:Low yield tactical weapon, blast radius < 0.1 mile.Tzar Bomba (over 50MTon yield), blast radius 60 miles.Above or below the optimal altitude the blast radius of an airburst is reduced.Surface and subsurface bursts have much smaller blast radius values than airbursts. A deep enough subsurface burst can be entirely contained and have no effect on the surface (except for a brief earthquake if underground, or millions of tiny radioactive bubbles rising to surface if underwater).
That varies with:yieldburst height/depthterrainif subsurface, the material around the burstinversion layer present or absentetc.Using my Nuclear Weapon Effects circular sliderule, assuming distance for 1 psi maximum overpressure as "blast radius":A 1 KTon yield at optimum burst height on flat terrain: 1.35 miles.A 1 KTon yield surface burst on flat terrain: 0.75 miles.A 20 KTon yield at optimum burst height on flat terrain: 3.64 miles.A 20 KTon yield surface burst on flat terrain: 2.00 miles.A 10 MTon yield at optimum burst height on flat terrain: 29 miles.A 10 MTon yield surface burst on flat terrain: 15.8 miles.1 psi maximum overpressure was selected because structural damage to buildings due to blast wave and wind is minor, however glass, plaster, etc. damage will be much further out.
Blast radius (and other effects) varies with:yieldburst height/depthterrainif subsurface, the material around the burstinversion layer present or absentetc.Using my Nuclear Weapon Effects circular sliderule, assuming distance for 1 psi maximum overpressure as "blast radius":A 1 KTon yield at optimum burst height on flat terrain: 1.35 miles.A 1 KTon yield surface burst on flat terrain: 0.75 miles.A 20 KTon yield at optimum burst height on flat terrain: 3.64 miles.A 20 KTon yield surface burst on flat terrain: 2.00 miles.A 10 MTon yield at optimum burst height on flat terrain: 29 miles.A 10 MTon yield surface burst on flat terrain: 15.8 miles.1 psi maximum overpressure was selected because structural damage to buildings due to blast wave and wind is minor, however glass, plaster, etc. damage will be much further out.Except for thermal burns, most immediate radiation effects are also contained within this radius.
Little Boy was the nuclear bomb detonated over Hiroshima. It used uranium and had an explosive blast equivalent to 12,500 tons of TNT. A 1 megaton hydrogen bomb, hypothetically detonated on the earth's surface, has about 80 times the blast power of that 1945 explosion. Considering the tonnage of a bomb to be contant, The blast radius varies dependent on whether it is a ground burst or an airburst. Further, the height of the airburst above ground affects the radius too. At a height of 1900 feet above ground, Little Boy produced a blast radius of 1 mile; an area of some 4.7 square miles.
Difficult to answer- depends on your definition of "blast radius", and how the weapon is fused- air burst, surface, delay. Blast radius can refer to damage to structures, armored vehicles, troops in the open, or troops under cover. Damage is caused from fragments, heat, and overpressure. Troops in bunkers may survive detonations at 50 meters, but troops in the open at 400 meters would be at hazard. Reinforced concrete buildings at 25 meters would sustain damage.
The destructive radius of a five-kiloton nuclear explosion is typically around 500 to 700 meters, resulting in significant destruction of buildings and infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of the blast. This radius can vary depending on factors such as the height of the explosion, terrain, and weather conditions. However, it's important to note that the effects of a nuclear explosion extend far beyond the immediate blast radius due to factors like heat, radiation, and fallout.
Greater damage from blast and thermal radiation.
The deadly effects of an atomic, or nuclear weapon include heat, radiation and blast. All three of these effects will propagate over a greater surface area if detonated some distance in the air over the target. Assuming the target population is concentrated at or near the surface, such as a city or most military bases, an air burst would be most deadly. If the target is underground in a hardened bunker, then a surface or even subsurface detonation would be more effective.
See the book The Effects of Nuclear Weapons for equations. My copy came with a circular slide rule that calculates that for optimal altitude airburst and surface burst over a yield range of 1 KTon to 10 MTon. It also calculates many other effects.
Burst Limit had better reviews than Raging Blast.
blast or burst
blast, eruption