Nuclear Impact Analysis · UAE

Is Abu Dhabi safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Abu Dhabi and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 1,500,000 metro residents.

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MINIMAL RISK

Abu Dhabi city centre sits 133.6 km from Dubai Intl, the most plausible strategic target in the area (low targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 150 kt airburst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 99% · Estimated metro fatalities: 86.7K, injuries: 104.4K

Run the interactive simulation for Abu Dhabi →

What a strike on Dubai Intl would mean

A 150 kt detonation produces a fireball 490 m across in radius. Reinforced concrete fails out to 1.8 km (20 psi). Most residential buildings collapse within 3.7 km (5 psi), and windows shatter dangerously out to 8.2 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 5.2 km suffers third-degree burns from the thermal pulse.

An airburst maximises blast damage but produces minimal local fallout, so for Abu Dhabi the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.

Most plausible targets near Abu Dhabi

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
Dubai Intlairport134 km150 ktlow
Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabiaenergy488 km300 kthigh
Riyadhgovernment779 km150 ktmedium
Natanz enrichment, Iranenergy1062 km150 kthigh
Arak IR-40, Iranenergy1188 km150 ktmedium

Key blast radii (150 kt airburst)

EffectRadiusWhat happens
Fireball490 mComplete vaporisation
20 psi blast1.8 kmHardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities
5 psi blast3.7 kmMost buildings collapse, widespread fatalities
3rd-degree burns5.2 kmFull-thickness burns to exposed skin
500 rem radiation2.1 kmLethal dose without medical care
1 psi blast8.2 kmWindow breakage, light damage, glass injuries

How Abu Dhabi can prepare

With a population density of 300 people/km², Abu Dhabi's outcome would hinge on the first hour. The guidance is identical everywhere: get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. A basement or the core of a large concrete building cuts fallout exposure by a factor of 10 or more, and radiation decays fast — dose rates fall ~90% within the first 7 hours and ~99% within two days.

Check your exact address in Abu Dhabi →
Model disclaimer: These are research-grade estimates from open scaling laws (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977), not predictions. Actual outcomes depend on burst height, weapon choice, weather, terrain and sheltering. In any real emergency follow official civil-defence guidance.

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