Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began nearly a year ago, the threat of a devastating nuclear war has loomed closer than ever for many.
Now, a study shows the best way to survive a powerful nuclear blast while inside a concrete building—as long as the blast hasn’t collapsed it.
According to the researchers, the best place to take shelter is in the corner of a room, facing the blast, or to crouch and hide, possibly behind a chair or table.
However, people should stay away from windows, corridors and doors as extreme winds blow here at high speeds strong enough to lift people into the air and cause serious injury if they hit the ground.
Researchers from the University of Nicosia simulated the detonation of a nuclear bomb by a typical ICBM. This 3D rendering shows the simulated air blast and generated pressure wave 10 seconds after detonation over a typical metropolitan city; the radius of the shock bubble at ground level is 2.8 miles (4.6 km)
How to survive a nuclear explosion
– are located in a concrete building
– Position yourself at the corners of the room facing the explosion
– Avoid windows, corridors and doors
– If you don’t have enough time, hiding in the corner of a corridor may be safer than staying in the middle of the corridor
– Immediately seek shelter under tables and chairs
Researchers note that this advice applies when in the medium damage zone of a nuclear blast (MDZ) or far enough from the source of the blast, which can be lucky.
The new study was conducted by researchers from the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, who used computer models to study the effects of a nearby nuclear blast on people inside a concrete building.
“Before our study, the danger to people in a concrete-reinforced building that withstands the blast was unclear,” said author Dimitris Drikakis.
“Our study shows that high flight speeds remain a significant hazard and can still result in serious injury or even death.”
Although the study made no mention of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the researchers emphasized “increasing geopolitical tensions” and the possibility of a “catastrophic” nuclear scenario.
A nuclear explosion is usually measured by the gauge pressure (the pressure above normal atmospheric pressure) in pounds per square inch (psi), which depends on the distance from the atomic bomb at detonation.
Anyone standing near an exploding nuclear bomb would vaporize instantly, while radiation can also pose a deadly risk.
However, there is another potentially deadly hazard – the blast generated by the blast, defined as an area of pressure expanding outward at supersonic speeds.
A blast wave can generate air velocities strong enough to lift people into the air and cause serious injury or death, even indoors.
‘The main threat to human survivability indoors is the extremely fast winds entering through the various openings in the building, such as windows,’ the researchers say in their paper, published in Physics of Fluids.
“Supersonic shock waves emanating from the blast experience expansion as they enter a room through an opening, resulting in channeling effects.”
For the study, the team used advanced computer modeling to simulate a concrete building with rooms, windows, doors and corridors. The blast wave enters through the window of the room at the bottom right of the image
Inside a building, tight spaces can increase airspeed, and the involvement of the blast wave causes air to reflect off walls and bend around corners. At worst, this can generate a force equivalent to 18 times a human’s body weight
How is a nuclear explosion measured?
A nuclear explosion is usually measured in terms of gauge pressure (the pressure above normal atmospheric pressure) in pounds per square inch (psi).
Overpressure at or above 2 psi will easily kill people and partially or completely destroy concrete buildings.
At 10psi, most people die and severe damage occurs.
At 5 psi, serious human injury and death will be widespread and significant damage to heavy structures will occur.
Finally, at greater distances of 3 psi, over-pressurization will result in serious injury to people and destruction of smaller built-in structures.
Serious injuries can be reduced at clearances that correspond to less than 5 psi gauge pressure, particularly for those in concrete buildings.
For the study, the team used computer modeling to simulate a reinforced concrete building with rooms, windows, doors and corridors.
The researchers simulated a 750-kiloton nuclear explosion (equivalent to 750 tons of TNT) by an atomic bomb, a type of nuclear bomb that uses nuclear fission.
The researchers said the blast would create a pressure wave about 4.6 km (2.8 miles) in radius at ground level with a peak overpressure of just over 7 psi.
Typically, overpressures of 5 psi cause “moderate” blast damage, defined as collapse of wooden buildings, “general” injuries and widespread fatalities.
According to the results, simply being in a stable building is not enough to avoid the risk of injury or death, so people should choose their positions with care.
Dangerous indoor places to avoid are windows, doors and corridors. However, if there isn’t enough time, hiding in the corner of a corridor may be safer than staying in the middle of the corridor.
Ultimately, it’s best to hide in the corner of a room away from openings like windows or doors where air velocity is higher.
The authors emphasize that the time between the explosion and the arrival of the blast wave is only a few seconds, so getting to a safe place quickly is crucial.
“If people see the blast from afar, they need to take shelter as soon as possible,” Drikakis told Web.
Diagrams show the shock wave after the 750 kT detonation of an atomic bomb; x- and y-axes are distance above ground and altitude in units of km; Seconds after the first explosion from left to right and top to bottom: 0.6, 2.8, 6.7, 12.0, 14.4 and 21.1
“If they are at the window, they should run away inside the building and take cover in a room with no openings or in the corners of rooms/corridors.”
Unfortunately, survivors will struggle with elevated radiation levels, unsafe buildings, damaged power and gas lines, and fires, so according to Drikakis, they should also “seek immediate emergency assistance.”
While the authors hope their advice never has to be followed, they believe the study can help prevent injuries and guide rescue efforts should a nuclear explosion occur.
Nuclear weapons were used twice in the war, by the US against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 during World War II.
Although the study made no mention of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the researchers emphasized “increasing geopolitical tensions” and the possibility of a “catastrophic” nuclear scenario. Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) has issued a series of nuclear threats since the war against Ukraine began last year
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a series of nuclear threats since the war against Ukraine began last year.
Russia’s invasion has sparked the greatest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, when the two Cold War superpowers came closest to deliberate nuclear war.
Russia and the US are by far the largest nuclear powers and together possess about 90 percent of the world’s nuclear warheads – enough to destroy the planet many times over.
In September, Putin warned the West he was not bluffing when he said he was ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia.
A few days later he said the US had set a “precedent” by dropping two atomic bombs on Japan in 1945.
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Since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “military special operation” in Ukraine in February 2022, missiles have hit locations across the country, including the capital Kyiv.
As locations across the country face bombings, ground-based attacks and “terrific” airstrikes, Putin has reminded the rest of the world of Russia’s advanced nuclear capabilities.
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, Putin made the chilling threat to the rest of the world that they would face “greater consequences than any you have faced in history” if they intervened.
“No one should doubt that a direct attack on our country will lead to destruction and dire consequences for any potential attacker,” Putin said.
He added that Russia “is one of the strongest nuclear powers and also has a certain lead in a number of cutting-edge weapons.”
From nuclear warheads, flamethrowers and a $16million (£12million) superweapon dubbed the “father of all bombs”, Web has taken a look at weapons currently being used against Ukraine, as well as others that could be used in the future.
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