FalloutIf nuclear fallout were to occur, the earth would turn into an irradiated desert. Earth would be essentially unlivable, but it would be possible to survive. People, with the help of fallout shelters and bunkers, would be able to survive the initial attack and most likely live in the shelters until the radiation had fallen to a level at which they could survive. Now the difference between a nuclear explosion and a nuclear explosion According to convention, a nuclear explosion can be thousands or even millions of times more powerful than the largest conventional detonations. There are different places where a nuclear weapon can explode. These explosions are called aerial, high altitude, underwater, underground and surface explosions. A qualified air explosion occurs below 100,000 feet. When an explosion occurs above 100,000 feet, it is called high altitude. An underwater explosion occurs when a nuclear missile explodes beneath the surface of the water. Underground explosions are caused by missiles designed to penetrate the ground or by explosives previously placed beneath the earth's surface. Surface explosions hit the ground and went boom. According to atomicarchive.com (Rossenfeld), the nuclear strike will consist of fifty percent blast energy, thirty-five percent thermal energy, and fifteen percent nuclear radiation. When such a strike occurs, the explosion will take out everything within a 20.51 mile radius and a 47.88 mile thermal radiation radius, causing third degree burns and firestorms . When nuclear explosions reach Ground Zero, the overpressure will do little harm to the human body, but the thermal radiation will cause fatal burns that can tear off the skin. A flash burn is a serious problem ... middle of paper ... unlikely, but possible. The effects of radiation from a nuclear attack could destroy all human life. The world would be transformed into a desert, making access to food, water and shelter difficult. Survival would be difficult, and for there to be any hope of survival of the species, the human race must be prepared in advance. Works Cited “Nuclear Radiation and Fallout Effects”. Action by the United States. No. Internet. April 7, 2014. “Nuclear Tests.” CTBTO. No. Internet. April 7, 2014. Rossenfeld, Carrie. “Effects of Nuclear Weapons.” Atomic Archives. No. Internet. April 7 2014. .