From a Government Paper on the blast pressure effects of a 25 MT air blast; which reminds me why they detonate nukes well above the target; if it exploded on the ground the energy is dissapted by moving earth, dirt, stone. Above the target, whatever the radiation and blast doesnt get below, the pressure wave will:
25 Megaton Air Blast: Pressure Damage
Radius of destructive circle: 6.5 miles
12 pounds per square inch
The remains of some buildings' foundations are visible. Some of the strongest buildings -- those made of reinforced, poured concrete -- are still standing. Ninety-eight percent of the population within this area are dead.
Radius: 10.7 miles
5 psi
Virtually everything is destroyed between the 12 and 5 psi rings. The walls of typical multi-story buildings, including apartment buildings, are completely blown out. Single-family residences within this this area have been completely blown away -- only their foundations remain. Fifty percent of the population between the 12 and 5 psi rings are dead. Forty percent are injured.
Radius: 20 miles
2 psi
Any single-family residences that are not completely destroyed are heavily damaged. The windows of office buildings have been blown away, as have some of their walls. The contents of these buildings' upper floors, including the people who were working there, are scattered on the street. Five percent of the population between the 5 and 2 psi rings are dead. Forty-five percent are injured.
Radius: 30.4 miles
1 psi
Residences are moderately damaged. Commercial buildings have sustained minimal damage. Twenty-five percent of the population between the 2 and 1 psi rings are injured, mainly by flying glass and debris. The remaining seventy-five percent are unhurt.
Thats 25 Megatons. Hiroshima? Not 25 million tons, but just 16 thousand tons; 16,000 tons TNT Equivalent, and we have nukes at 25,000,000 tons TNT. I dont imagine a fireworks factory that big.
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This message was edited by Mike Teacher on 11-28-04 @ 2:33 AM