Terrifying nuclear bomb map shows huge damage to Chicago after 'fatman' blast

A chilling interactive map created by nuclearsecrecy.com shows the catastrophic damage that would be inflicted on Chicago if a nuclear bomb were to be detonated within its metropolitan area. The maps, which depict the devastating aftermath of nuclear weapons in major cities around the world, were created by Alex Wellerstein, a nuclear historian at the Stevens Institute of Technology.

If a weapon similar to Fat Man - the bomb dropped on Nagasaki by the United States on August 9, 1945 - were to be detonated in Chicago, the devastation would be unfathomable. The Fat Man had a yield of 20 kilotons. According to Wellerstein's expert modeling, such an event would result in 128,490 fatalities.

In addition, there would be 140,490 injuries. The light blast damage radius would reach over 12 miles in distance, likely resulting in broken windows and potential injuries, despite being the lightest impact of a nuclear bomb explosion in a populated area.

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If you can't see the map below, click here to search for your home location

The fireball radius caused by the hypothetical explosion would reach as far as Little Italy. According to the map, anything within this radius would be instantly vaporized. The heavy blast damage radius would spread for half a mile and either severely damage or completely demolish concrete buildings. This magnitude of a blast, which would have close to a 100 percent fatality rate, would mostly be focused on the Little Italy area, according to the map.

To view the map below, click here.

The radiation radius caused by the blast would spread for just under a mile from the point of detonation. It would be likely fatal to most residents of the area. 15 percent of survivors would likely perish within one month from the cancer brought upon by the radiation levels.

The moderate blast damage radius would spread for 3.5 miles, according to the modeling, and this would cause most residential buildings to collapse and lead to widespread fatalities. The chances of fires spreading are also heightened, which would only add to the damage.

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The thermal radiation radius would spread for just over a mile With this, there is a 100 percent certainty of third-degree burns. This reaction to radiation is often painless, however, because pain nerves are destroyed in the process.

Luckily, these scenarios are only hypothetical and such a possibility is hugely unlikely. However, the maps showcase a frightening possibility.

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