Reducing the Effects of Nuclear Explosion

Introduction:

Blast effects are dynamic winds and static overpressure.

Dynamic winds are like those experienced in hurricanes although more localised and of higher velocity. In addition to blowing down structures, these winds can pick up debris that can damage other objects and persons due to their high velocity.

Static overpressure is the increase in pressure when the blast wave surrounds an object. This has a crushing effect on hollow objects and can crush buildings and damage internal organs.

When a nuclear weapon explodes close to the earth`s surface, large quantities of dirt or water are drawn up with the hot air rising from that explosion. It becomes radioactive as it rises.

Heavy debris will fall back close to the point of explosion. Lighter particles are carried down wind to spread across the surface as a carpet of `fallout`.