Atlanta city centre sits 12.6 km from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta, the most plausible strategic target in the area (medium targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 150 kt airburst.
Estimated survival chance at city centre: 99% · Estimated metro fatalities: 146.8K, injuries: 176.8K
What a strike on Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta 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 Atlanta the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.
Most plausible targets near Atlanta
| Target | Type | Distance | Assumed yield | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta | airport | 13 km | 150 kt | medium |
| Port of Savannah | port | 353 km | 150 kt | medium |
| Kings Bay Naval Base (SSBN) | military | 422 km | 800 kt | high |
| Surry Nuclear Plant, VA | energy | 793 km | 100 kt | low |
| Norfolk Naval Station | military | 812 km | 455 kt | high |
Key blast radii (150 kt airburst)
| Effect | Radius | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Fireball | 490 m | Complete vaporisation |
| 20 psi blast | 1.8 km | Hardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities |
| 5 psi blast | 3.7 km | Most buildings collapse, widespread fatalities |
| 3rd-degree burns | 5.2 km | Full-thickness burns to exposed skin |
| 500 rem radiation | 2.1 km | Lethal dose without medical care |
| 1 psi blast | 8.2 km | Window breakage, light damage, glass injuries |
How Atlanta can prepare
With a population density of 1,400 people/km², Atlanta'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.
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