This page shows a simulation of the Topol (SS-25) (currently in Russian arsenal) (800 kt) nuclear bomb (800 kt) detonated over Chicago, IL, 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 Chicago
Centred on the Loop, the 2.6 km zone of total destruction covers the entire downtown core — Willis Tower, Millennium Park, the River North high-rises and the Navy Pier approach. The 6.5 km collapse ring reaches the Near West Side, Pilsen, Lincoln Park's southern end and the McCormick Place convention centre; burns to 11.5 km extend to Wrigley Field, the United Center, Bronzeville and Humboldt Park. The 20 km ring of broken windows runs from Evanston's edge to Hyde Park, Oak Park and Midway Airport.
Chicago's 2.7 million residents are packed along the lakefront, so the rings fall on dense territory to the north, west and south while half of each circle lies over Lake Michigan — one reason a real attacker would probably place the aim point further inland. The land is flat; there is no terrain shadow to speak of. See the 100-megaton scenario for the whole metro area.
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