Nuclear ground bursts

Table I. Characteristics of Some Nuclear Ground Bursts...

Such large weapons cause the hot fireballs to rise into the stratosphere (NAS, 1975). A several fold increase in the penetration of ultraviolet radiation to the earth s surface would result. This was considered to be the main, long-term, global, atmospheric effect of a total nuclear war. By cursory comparison with the reported effects of major volcanic explosions, the production of dust from nuclear ground bursts was estimated to lead to rather insignificant changes in the earth s climate. 

The Specific Activity of Nuclear Debris from Ground Surface Bursts as a Function of Particle Size... 

T,he size and mass frequency distributions of the particles in clouds from ground surface bursts have an essential bearing on predictions of the fallout field resulting from such nuclear explosions. Fallout models that are still in use employ size distributions which have been derived... 

Overpressure Versus Time Histories (Nuclear and TNT Surface Bursts) , BRL-1638, Ballistic Res labs, Aberdeen Prov Gmds (1973) (Limited distrib) 133) D.W. Murrell, AEWES-TR-N-74-3, Army Engr Waterways Exptl Sta, Vicksburg (1974) 134) I.S. Sandler et al, Ground... 

H Type of burst Type of agent/type of burst P (persistent), NP (nonpersistent) Nuclear Specify air, surface, or subsurface. Chemical State 1 whether air, ground, or spray attack. j... 

B. Surface Burst. A surface burst weapon is detonated on or slightly above the surface of the earth so that the fireball actually touches the land or water surface. The area affected by blast, thermal radiation, and initial nuclear radiation will be less extensive than for an air burst of similar yield, except in the region of ground zero where destruction is concentrated. In contrast with airbursts, local fallout can be a hazard over a much larger downwind area than that which is affected by blast and thermal radiation. 

C. Subsurface Burst. A subsurface burst weapon is detonated beneath the surface of land or water. Cratering will generally result from an underground burst, just as for a surface burst. If the burst does not penetrate the surface, the only other hazard will be from ground or water shock. If the burst is shallow enough to penetrate the surface, blast, thermal, and initial nuclear radiation effects will be present, but will be less than for a surface burst of comparable yield. Local fallout will be very heavy if penetration occurs. 

Surface burst a nuclear weapon explosion that is close enough to the ground for the radius of the fireball to vaporize surface material fallout from a surface burst contains very high levels of radioactivity... 

---