- A January 2023 study highlights nuclear blast wave speeds and how radiation circulates.
- After the initial explosion, you have mere seconds to get to a safe place.
- You want to run toward corners of walls facing the blast.
Here’s a fun fact that’s nice to know, but we hope you never, ever need to use: the best place to hide during a nuclear bomb explosion is in a strong, concrete structure, researchers at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus say in a January 2023 study published in the journal Physics of Fluids.
Now, there’s really no fantastic place to be when the bomb goes off; anything close to the explosion is instantly vaporized, and radiation immediately becomes a crippling concern. As a bonus treat, the blast wave generated by the explosion may then be strong enough to lift people into the air and knock down buildings.
A 3D illustration of the simulated air blast and generated blast wave ten seconds after the detonation of a 750-kiloton nuclear warhead above a typical metropolitan city; the radius of the shock bubble at ground level is 4.6 kilometers.
But if you’re fortunate enough to survive the initial blast—likely, you weren’t outside, because that is the worst place to be—then hopefully you were holed up in a concrete structure. The structural integrity of concrete (along with the metal rebar inside) stands to increase your chances of survival. However, even that may not even be enough.
“Before our study, the danger to people inside a concrete-reinforced building that withstands the blast wave was unclear,” Dimitris Drikakis, study coauthor, says in a news release. “Our study shows that high airspeeds remain a considerable hazard and can still result in severe injuries or even fatalities.”
The study’s computer modeling simulated blast waves through standing structures. If you’re able, stay away from windows, doorways, and corridors. Tight spaces can also increase airspeeds, as the wave reflects off walls and bends around corners. “In the worst cases, this can produce a force equivalent to 18 times a human’s body weight,” the authors write.
As you avoid the windows, doors, and corridors, you need to immediately take shelter, study coauthor Ioannis Kokkinakis says: “Even in the front room facing the explosion, one can be safe from the high airspeeds if positioned at the corners of the wall facing the blast.”
Of course, you only have a few seconds between the explosion and the impending shockwave, so move quickly.
“Additionally, there will be increased radiation levels, unsafe buildings, damaged power and gas lines, and fires,” Drikakis says. “People should be concerned about all the above and seek immediate emergency assistance.”
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Tim Newcomb
Tim Newcomb is a journalist based in the Pacific Northwest. He covers stadiums, sneakers, gear, infrastructure, and more for a variety of publications, including Popular Mechanics. His favorite interviews have included sit-downs with Roger Federer in Switzerland, Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, and Tinker Hatfield in Portland.
FAQs
As you avoid the windows, doors, and corridors, you need to immediately take shelter, study coauthor Ioannis Kokkinakis says: “Even in the front room facing the explosion, one can be safe from the high airspeeds if positioned at the corners of the wall facing the blast.”
Where is the safest place in your house during a nuclear war? ›
The safest place in your home during an radiation emergency is a centrally located room or basem*nt. This area should have as few windows as possible. The further your shelter is from windows, the safer you will be.
Where should you hide in your house during a nuclear attack? ›
"The most dangerous critical indoor locations to avoid are the windows, the corridors, and the doors," said co-author Ioannis William Kokkinakis. The best location is in the half of the building farthest from the blast, in a room with no windows.
How to survive a nuclear blast in your house? ›
If you are indoors during a radiation emergency:
- Stay inside. Close and lock all windows and doors. Go to the basem*nt or the middle of the building. ...
- If possible, turn off fans, air conditioners, and forced-air heating units that bring air in from the outside. Close fireplace dampers.
The best locations are underground and in the middle of larger buildings. While commuting, identify appropriate shelters to seek in the event of a detonation. Outdoor areas, vehicles and mobile homes do NOT provide adequate shelter. Look for basem*nts or the center of large multi-story buildings.
Is 30 miles from a nuclear bomb safe? ›
Anyone up to a few miles away would suffer third-degree burns. People up to 53 miles away could experience temporary blindness. Fires would tear through the wreckage. Emergency services would struggle to support survivors in the immediate vicinity of the blast.
What states are safe from nuclear war? ›
Western Texas, most of Nevada, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be notably in the clear. With that said, the latter two would likely become uninhabitable in the coming nuclear winter.
How many miles away from a nuclear bomb is safe? ›
The resulting inferno, and the blast wave that follows, instantly kill people directly in their path. But a new study finds that some people two to seven miles away could survive—if they're lucky enough to find just the right kind of shelter.
How long would it take for radiation to clear after a nuclear war? ›
Although the dangerous radiation levels will subside rapidly over the first few days, residual radiation from the long half-life fission products (such as 90Sr, 106Ru, 137Cs, 147Pm, and 155Eu) will become the main contributions to exposure (after about 10 years).
How to seal windows from nuclear fallout? ›
Seal all windows, rooms and air vents in one room with 2-4 mil. thick plastic sheeting and duct tape. You might want to measure an duct the plastic sheeting in advance to save time. Cut the plastic sheeting at least six inches wider than the openings and label each sheet.
The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends staying indoors for at least 24 hours after a nuclear explosion.
What to have in a nuclear survival kit? ›
The nuclear author said that you can get most of the "survival kit" off of the internet. Several other items in the kit include potassium iodide, water purification tablets, emergency foil, a knife and if you can find one, a radiation meter.
Does iodine protect against radiation? ›
KI protects only against radioactive iodine and does not protect against other types of radiation. KI protects only the thyroid. KI does not protect other parts of the body.
What do you wear to a nuclear attack? ›
In general, more body coverage is better: hooded coveralls help keep clothing and hair free of radioactive materials. DuPont does offer specially designed garments that help provide protection from radioactive particles and liquids.
What cities would be hit in a nuclear war? ›
Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, Houston, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver and Miami would likely be among the top metro area targets, given their mix of political, military and industrial value.
How deep does a bunker need to be to survive a nuclear bomb? ›
A fallout shelter needs to protect you from radioactive particles and blast impact: compacted dirt is great at both. Building down to a depth of about ten feet will provide ample protection, but any deeper makes it hard to dig out in the event of a collapse.
How many miles away from a nuke is safe? ›
The resulting inferno, and the blast wave that follows, instantly kill people directly in their path. But a new study finds that some people two to seven miles away could survive—if they're lucky enough to find just the right kind of shelter.
How to keep radiation out of your house? ›
If possible, turn off fans, air conditioners, and forced-air heating units that bring air in from the outside. Close windows and doors. Close fireplace dampers. If you are instructed to stay inside during a radiation emergency, pets and service animals should be inside too.
How long can you survive a nuclear bomb in a house? ›
Unless you're told to go outside, it's best to stay put until the risk of contamination has gone down. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends staying indoors for at least 24 hours after a nuclear explosion.
How do you prepare for a nuclear war at home? ›
The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property in the event of a nuclear blast:
- Build an Emergency Preparedness Kit.
- Make a Family Disaster Plan.
- Find out from officials if any public buildings in your community have been designated as fallout shelters.
