An interactive map developed by nuclearsecrecy.com paints a grim picture of the catastrophic damage that would be inflicted on Philadelphia if a nuclear bomb were to detonate within its metropolitan area. The maps, crafted by Alex Wellerstein, a nuclear historian at the Stevens Institute of Technology, illustrate the devastating aftermath of nuclear weapons in major cities worldwide.
If a weapon equivalent to the Castle Bravo - the largest bomb ever tested by the United States - were to explode in the Pennsylvania city the devastation would be unimaginable. The Castle Bravo has a yield of 15000 kilotonnes.
Wellerstein's expert modeling suggests such an event would result in 1,524,990 fatalities and 1,868,180 injuries. The light blast damage radius would extend over thirty miles in distance, likely causing shattered windows and potential injuries, despite being the least severe impact of a nuclear bomb explosion in a populated area.
If you are unable to view the map below, click here to search for your home location
According to the map, the hypothetical explosion's fireball radius would reach as far as Newton. Everything within this radius would be instantly vaporized.
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The moderate blast damage radius would spread for just over ten miles, severely damaging or completely demolishing concrete buildings. This level of blast would bring widespread fatalities and would primarily affect the area around Gloucester City and Cherry Hill, as per the map.
Click here to view the map below.
The thermal radiation radius from the blast would extend for twenty-four miles from the detonation point. This would ensure a 100 percent possibility of third-degree burns. Fortunately, these scenarios are purely hypothetical and the likelihood of such an event is extremely low. Nonetheless, the maps present a chilling possibility.
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