As the U.S. continues to monitor North Korea for signs of a possible ‘Christmas surprise’ missile launch, this interactive map gives a harrowing glimpse as to what would happen if a nuclear explosion was to affect various American cities.
The interactive map tool – called NukeMap – allows people to simulate the damage that could be inflicted if a nuclear bomb was dropped on any major city in the U.S.
The tool, created by nuclear weapons historian Alex Wellerstein, shows roughly how many fatalities there would be and the estimated number of injuries caused by a single blast.
Using the Hiroshima nuclear bomb as an example, more than 420,000 people would be killed if a 15 kiloton atomic blast occurred in New York City and almost 100,000 would die in Washington D.C.
Little Boy was the code name for the type of atomic bomb dropped in Japan back in 1945 that exploded with with an energy of approximately 15 kilotons of TNT.
Details of the interactive map comes as North Korea warned the U.S. must choose a ‘Christmas gift’ and warned that President Trump was running out of time to salvage nuclear talks.
Here is a close up look at the effects a nuclear bomb would cause on eight cities across the U.S.
The tool, created by nuclear weapons historian Alex Wellerstein, shows roughly how many fatalities there would be and the estimated number of injuries caused by a single blast.
The interactive map tool – called NukeMap – allows people to simulate the damage that could be inflicted if a nuclear bomb was dropped on any major city in the U.S.
Using the Hiroshima nuclear bomb (above) as an example, more than 420,000 people would be killed if a 15 kiloton atomic blast occurred in New York City and almost 100,000 would die in Washington D.C.
WASHINGTON DC:
If the bomb was dropped in Washington D.C. an estimated 98,970 people would die and 203,100 would be injured.
The air blast, if it detonated near the National Mall, would be strong enough to damage the White House and the Washington Monument.
The Pentagon and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport would avoid thermal radiation but could still sustain damage, including shattered windows.
NEW YORK:
If an atomic bomb was to detonate over New York’s busy Times Square, an estimated 422,080 people would be killed.
More than 683,000 people would be injured by the blast.
The majority of Midtown Manhattan would be obliterated and the effects could stretch out to New Jersey and Queens.
Almost all of Manhattan would be effected in someway if the bomb was dropped over Times Square.
BOSTON:
More than 114,000 people would be killed if a bomb was dropped over Boston’s downtown region.
Roughly 236,000 people would be injured by the blast.
The historic Fenway Park stadium would avoid thermal radiation but would be close enough to sustain damage.
Harvard University would also sustain some damage if the bomb was dropped in Boston’s downtown area.
LOS ANGELES:
If a bomb was dropped over downtown Los Angeles, about 84,000 people would perish and more than 187,000 would be injured.
Given how spread out LA is, many neighborhoods like Beverly Hills and West Hollywood would be relatively unscathed.
SAN FRANCISCO:
An atomic bomb dropped over San Francisco’s Mission District neighborhood would kill roughly 56,000 people.
A further 209,000 people would be injured in such a blast.
The Golden Gate Bridge and the Marina District would be largely unaffected in the blast.
CHICAGO:
Almost 130,000 people would be killed and 245,000 would be injured if an atomic bomb was dropped over Chicago.
PHILADELPHIA:
If an atomic bomb was dropped over Philadelphia, an estimated 37,000 people would be killed and 109,000 would be injured.
HONOLULU:
An atomic bomb dropped over Honolulu’s downtown area would see about 58,000 fatalities and 106,000 injuries.
The famous Waikiki Beach area would be away from thermal radiation but would be still close enough to sustain some damage.
The airport and the popular Diamond Head attraction would be virtually unscathed.
