Nuclear explosions are used in nuclear weapons and nuclear testing. Nuclear explosions are extremely destructive compared to conventional (chemical) explosives, because of the vastly greater energy …

Dec 2, 2025 · The energy released in a nuclear explosion derives from the splitting (fission) of radioactive materials, e.g. Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239. Bombs dropped on Hiroshima and …

Nov 23, 2025 · HASS Associate Professor Alex Wellerstein was quoted in a story about the sequence of events and physical effects produced by a nuclear detonation.

Jan 2, 2026 · When a nuclear weapon detonates, a fireball occurs with temperatures similar to those at the center of the Sun. The energy emitted takes several forms. Approximately 85 percent of the …

Apr 10, 2024 · Read the following list of frequently asked questions to learn what happens when a nuclear blast occurs, the possible health effects, and what you can do to protect yourself in this type …

Nuclear explosions produce both immediate and delayed destructive effects. Blast, thermal radiation, and prompt ionizing radiation cause significant destruction within seconds or minutes of a nuclear …

Since the advent of the atomic age, there have been over 2000 nuclear explosions across the globe. Explore them all on an interactive map.

Since the Trinity test and excluding combat use, countries with nuclear weapons have detonated roughly 1,700 nuclear explosions, all but six as tests. Of these, six were peaceful nuclear explosions.

A nuclear explosion is caused by an uncontrolled chain reaction that splits atomic nuclei (fission) to produce an intense wave of heat, light, air pressure, and radiation, followed by the production and …

A nuclear blast, produced by the explosion of a nuclear bomb (sometimes called a nuclear detonation), involves the joining or splitting of atoms (called fusion and fission) to produce an intense pulse or …