How to Use the Nuclear Blast Simulator
Our nuclear blast simulator helps visualize the devastating effects of nuclear weapons on any location. Follow this guide to effectively use all features of the simulator for educational purposes.
Before You Start
1 Select a Location
Click on any location on the interactive map or use the search box to find a specific city. You can zoom in/out and pan the map to find your desired location. The simulator works for any location worldwide.
2 Choose a Nuclear Weapon
Select from our database of real nuclear weapons ranging from the 15 kt Hiroshima bomb to the 50 Mt Tsar Bomba. Each weapon shows its yield in kilotons or megatons. You can also enter a custom yield value.
3 Select Detonation Type
Choose between air burst (maximizes blast damage) or surface burst (creates more fallout). Air burst is typically used for destroying cities, while surface burst targets hardened facilities.
4 Click 'Detonate'
Press the red Detonate button to simulate the nuclear explosion. The map will display color-coded damage zones showing different effects at various distances from ground zero.
5 Explore the Damage Zones
Click on any colored zone to see detailed information about effects in that area. The zones show: Fireball (vaporization), heavy blast damage (5 psi), moderate damage (1 psi), thermal radiation burns, and light damage.
6 Compare Different Scenarios
Try different weapons, locations, and burst types to understand how nuclear weapon effects vary. Use the clear button to reset and start a new simulation.
Understanding the Damage Zones
Fireball Radius (Red)
Complete vaporization. Everything is destroyed.
Heavy Blast Damage (Orange)
20 psi overpressure. Heavily built concrete buildings destroyed.
Moderate Blast Damage (Yellow)
5 psi overpressure. Most residential buildings collapse.
Thermal Radiation (Gray)
3rd degree burns to exposed skin. Fires ignited.
Light Damage (Light Gray)
1 psi overpressure. Windows shattered, light injuries.
Pro Tips
- Use keyboard shortcuts: 'D' to detonate, 'C' to clear, 'R' to reset view
- Click and drag to pan the map, scroll to zoom
- Double-click any location for quick positioning
- Compare multiple weapons by clearing and re-detonating
- Screenshot results for educational presentations
- Check the statistics panel for cumulative data
Educational Applications
The simulator can be used for various educational purposes:
- History classes studying World War II and the Cold War
- Physics courses exploring energy release and scaling laws
- Political science discussions on nuclear deterrence
- Emergency management training and planning
- Public education about nuclear weapon effects
Ready to Start?
Now that you know how to use the simulator, explore the devastating effects of nuclear weapons and understand why they must never be used.
Launch Simulator