Nuclear War: Consequences

The consequences of nuclear warfare, or the unilateral use of nuclear weapons are dire and multifold. For purposes of cogency though, these implications can be categorized into two major sections: human and political.

Human Implications

When a nuclear bomb first explodes on the ground, those individuals further away from the strike point experience a temporary blindness, that can up to two weeks in length. Concurrently, when the bomb explodes and releases the harnessed power of the fission or fusion reaction, the process produces an enormous sound wave, or electromagnetic pulse (EMP). This pulse resonates with electronic, communications and even nearby missile silo based activities temporarily rendering them useless.

In terms of casualties, should a conventional nuclear bomb be employed, every organism within a 1.7mile radius of the explosion would instantly be annihilated. Additionally, all land in the blast radius, and even up to a 3 mile radius would be subject to radiation. Depending on the altitude the explosions occurs, wind currents could all spread radioactive toxins throughout nearby lands. The implications of this radiation are tainted agricultural produce, radiation poisoning, genetic mutations and cancer. Those individuals standing an exposed one mile away from the blast zone, even if managing to evade the heat and wind effects, will succumb to radioactive poisoning and die within one months time. Heat is also a determining factor as extensive studies show 35% of a nuclear bomb’s energy is released as thermal radiation, or heat. At the moment of the explosion, the bomb becomes nearly as hot as the sun and yields a fireball with a 1.5mile diameter. In only one minute, this fireball will rise into the sky and slightly taper to form the infamous mushroom cloud that colloquially characterizes a nuclear explosion. Even at a distance of 5 miles away from the cloud or the explosion, those with direct exposure to this brief heat pulse can suffer severe burns, 3rd degree.

 Looking at the direct physical effects of the explosion, the most dramatic consequence is the development of an enormous over- pressurized region. This pressure system creates strong wind currents, which cause structural damage up to 5 miles away and can even shatter windows up to 13.5 miles away. These winds and the causal pressure concurrently work to debilitate structures within the direct blast region and cause intense structural damage, including building and housing collapse. These damages also lead to more human casualties.

Political Implications

The use of nuclear weapons has severe implications for nation heads and officials. According to the theory of mutually assured destruction, nuclear warfare is mitigated by the knowledge that the instigating party will also perish. However, should a non government based group, like a terrorist organization, be responsible for a nuclear explosion, retaliating, and diplomatically dealing with the situation would be nearly impossible, as they would strive to avoid negotiations.

Additionally, if a country is the instigating party of a nuclear assault, they will most generally incur global political enmity. The atrocities associated with nuclear explosions are well known to political and military leaders and association with such an amoral and destructive regime would be detrimental.

Sources Consulted

Sources

  •  "Nuclear Weapon Archive" Carey Sublette. 2003. 3 March 2006. <http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/>
  • Professor Moti Nissani. "Living in the Balance: the Cold War and American Politics 1945-1991" Wayne University. 1992 . 3 March 2006. <http://www.is.wayne.edu/mnissani/PAGEPUB/CH2.html>
  • Ehrlich, Robert. Waging Nuclear Peace: The Technology and Politics of Nuclear Weapons. 1985.
  • Glossop, Ronald J. Confronting War: An Examination of Humanity’s Most Pressing Problems. 2001.