Alpha1
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San Francisco
An Ohio-class nuclear missile submarine collides with a
freighter in the fog, off the coast of San Francisco, half-way between Alcatraz Island and Fisherman's Wharf. One of the sub's missiles accidentally
detonates in the collision.All 8 MIRVed warheads on the
missile detonate in an explosion that yields 800 kilotons. The
fissionable material contained in the other thermonuclear
warheads on board contributes another megaton, bringing the
overall yield to 1.8 megatons. The heavy fog that contributed to the collision greatly attenuates the thermal pulse. The resulting explosion leaves behind not only
the usual radioactive by-products, but also a large amount of unused fissionable
material.A population density of 15,000
people per square mile, uniformly
distributed. Over 90% of the people are inside. The shock
wave will spread out uniformly.
Assumptions
It is very unlikely that an accident like the one contemplated could actually happen. Great care is taken in the designing of these
weapons systems specifically to prevent an accident from taking place. However, of all nations nuclear forces, the submarines are the most autonomous (have the fewest safety lockouts).
An Ohio-class nuclear missile submarine collides with a
freighter in the fog, off the coast of San Francisco, half-way between Alcatraz Island and Fisherman's Wharf. One of the sub's missiles accidentally
detonates in the collision.All 8 MIRVed warheads on the
missile detonate in an explosion that yields 800 kilotons. The
fissionable material contained in the other thermonuclear
warheads on board contributes another megaton, bringing the
overall yield to 1.8 megatons. The heavy fog that contributed to the collision greatly attenuates the thermal pulse. The resulting explosion leaves behind not only
the usual radioactive by-products, but also a large amount of unused fissionable
material.A population density of 15,000
people per square mile, uniformly
distributed. Over 90% of the people are inside. The shock
wave will spread out uniformly.
Assumptions
It is very unlikely that an accident like the one contemplated could actually happen. Great care is taken in the designing of these
weapons systems specifically to prevent an accident from taking place. However, of all nations nuclear forces, the submarines are the most autonomous (have the fewest safety lockouts).