Characteristics Of A Nuclear Terrorist Attack:

Characteristics Of A Nuclear Terrorist Attack: Related Information:

The threat of a nuclear terrorist attack seems to be looming over us more strongly than ever during recent years, particularly after some of the horrific acts of terrorism that have been carried out all over the world. Millions of people have taken the time to formulate some sort of strategy or plan in case of an attack of this nature, but the sad fact is that no matter how many plans you form there is certainly no guarantee of survival because so much depends upon factors over which we have no control. For instance, the location of the attack could determine whether or not you survive – shelter or no shelter, living in an area close to the attack could result in death simply from the blast. However, there are several types of danger involved in nuclear attack, and advance planning could help to protect you against some of these dangers.

Blasts and shockwaves

The atmospheric air pressure surrounding a detonation can cause a blast or a shockwave, which can move at alarming speeds. Looking directly at the blast can cause temporary blindness, retinal burning and permanent eye damage. The blast can also kill those in its path, and a fallout shelter will not necessarily protect you against the terrific force of a blast.

Fire risk

The effect of the blast combined with the pulse of the nuclear weapon can result in the ignition of combustible materials, so fire is a high risk particularly in areas very close to the detonation.

Radiation

The initial radiation following the nuclear blast can prove particularly hazardous, especially to those in close proximity. This is the radiation that forms during the first minute following detonation. In addition to this, the electromagnetic radiation following the blast can damage or destroy electrical equipment, cables etc.

There are three main types of radiation, and these are:

• Alpha
• Beta
• Gamma

The outer layers of the skin normally stop alpha radiation from doing any external or internal damage. However, high quantities of ingestion or inhalation can result in internal damage.

Beta radiation can cause skin burns if contaminated particles make contact with the skin. This type of radiation can be quite penetrative.

Gamma radiation is the most dangerous of the three, and can cause extensive internal and external damage, destroying organs, skin, bones and blood. In large doses gamma radiation can cause serious illness and death.

Fallout

The fallout risk comes about due the crater that can be caused following a nuclear explosion. The earth from the crater is transformed into hot gas and dust due to the heat, and this rises up in the form of a fireball. As the fireball rises, radioactive materials from the detonated weapon attach themselves to dust and dirt particles, and as the fire goes out and cools into a cloud formation, the wind carries it and spreads it into different areas. As this happens, the radioactive particles fall out of the air and are scattered at ground level, on the ground, on buildings, in waters etc. The fall out from the first 24 hours following detonation is the most dangerous as these particles are still highly radioactive. The fallout following the initial 24 hours will have lost some of its radioactivity by the time it reaches ground level. Fallout can continue for anything from a matter of months to years. However, the fallout radiation levels decrease very quickly, and within a couple of weeks will be just a tiny fraction of the levels at the time of detonation.