What would happen if a nuclear bomb was dropped on Leeds?

The terrifying simulator, available on website Outrider.org shows the extent of the fireball, shock wave, heat and radiation that would be caused by a variety of nuclear detonations.

Outrider.org shows what would happen if a nuclear bomb was dropped on a specified area.

Users can choose to simulate four different types of nuclear bombs as well as their blast type on a location of their choice.

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The blast types

The blast types are air burst and surface. A surface blast is when the bomb detonates on the ground. This affects a smaller geographic area but leaves much more radiation in the area.

Air burst is when the bomb is detonated over an area. Air burst leaves less nuclear fallout but its radial extent is significantly larger, which is likely to lead to more casualties.

Outrider’s app is based on NUKEMAP, created by Alex Wellerstein, an historian of nuclear weapons.

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The W-87 bomb (US)

All data on the site is based on Wellerstein’s own calculations. The tool’s simulation for the 300kt W-87 bomb, also known as the Hiroshima atomic bomb, shows that central Leeds would be vaporised, leaving an estimated 148,656 dead and incinerating tens of thousands more from radiation and heat.#

In fact, the fireball would be 0.7 miles and the radiation will spread 5.5 miles. The shockwave would spread 11.39 miles and the heat 48.5 miles, covering the majority of Leeds.

The Tsar Bomba (Russia)

The Tsar Bomba is the largest bomb that has ever been tested by Russia, a bumper 50,000KT.

If dropped onto Leeds, this would wipe out an area of 30.9 square miles, with a fireball of 43 miles and a shockwave of 345 miles. The heat would be felt a staggering 3,200 sq miles away.

The death toll would be 1,409,539, with another 1,433,531 injured.

The Hwasong-14 (North Korea)

The Hwasong is a 150KT nuke made by North Korea.

If dropped, it would kill 167,846 people and injure 204,094. The fireball would be a quarter of a mile across, with radiation for 3.5 sq miles, with the heat being felt 35 miles away.

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Why do we need to know this?

Of course, the likeliness of this happening is exceedingly low. So why does the site exist at all?

The Outrider site exists to spread awareness of the dangers of nuclear armaments.

As the site states: "In the early 1980s, the grassroots Nuclear Freeze Movement opposed the Reagan administration’s proposal for a massive buildup of nuclear weapons. The movement’s pressure helped push Reagan to begin arms limitations negotiations with the Soviet Union.

"Today, groups like Global Zero and ICAN are building new grassroots movements and activating the international community to work together and create change.

"In 2017, ICAN won the Nobel Peace Prize for their role in advocating for the United Nations Nuclear Ban Treaty.

"Regular citizens are the heart of their efforts, and the more people participate, the stronger and louder the movement will be.

"Think about getting involved as a volunteer, or consider donating money."