This page shows a simulation of the Topol (SS-25) (currently in Russian arsenal) (800 kt) nuclear bomb (800 kt) detonated over Washington, DC, USA. The map displays the estimated fireball, the zones of heavy, moderate and light blast damage, thermal radiation and ionizing radiation. Click «What does that mean?» for a detailed legend, or run your own detonation on the main page.
The 800-kiloton warhead of the Topol (SS-25) is the kind of weapon a strategic missile actually carries today — about 50 Hiroshimas, delivered in roughly 30 minutes. On this map it is an airburst, the height chosen to maximise the area of heavy blast damage. The fireball is about 1.8 km across; total destruction (20 psi) reaches roughly 2.6 km, residential collapse (5 psi) about 6.5 km, third-degree burns on exposed skin about 11.5 km, and broken windows with flying-glass injuries (1 psi) about 20 km.
What that means in Washington
Centred on the National Mall, the 2.6 km zone of total destruction takes in the White House, the Capitol, the Smithsonian museums and the whole federal triangle. The 6.5 km collapse ring crosses the Potomac to the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery, and reaches Georgetown, Howard University, Union Station and Navy Yard. Burns out to 11.5 km cover the entire District inside its original diamond, from Reagan National Airport to Silver Spring's southern edge; the 20 km ring of broken glass reaches past the Beltway to Bethesda, Rockville, Alexandria, Fairfax and College Park.
About 700,000 people live in the District and several million inside the outer ring. Washington's low, open layout and the river valleys offer almost no terrain shadow; the terrain-shadow option on this page will show you how little. Compare with the 100-megaton scenario over the same point, or read how a warhead like this would arrive.
Language 
