Birmingham city centre sits 162.8 km from Whitehall, London, the most plausible strategic target in the area (high targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 455 kt airburst.
Estimated survival chance at city centre: 99% · Estimated metro fatalities: 454K, injuries: 546.7K
What a strike on Whitehall, London would mean
A 455 kt detonation produces a fireball 763 m across in radius. Reinforced concrete fails out to 2.6 km (20 psi). Most residential buildings collapse within 5.3 km (5 psi), and windows shatter dangerously out to 11.9 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 8.2 km suffers third-degree burns from the thermal pulse.
An airburst maximises blast damage but produces minimal local fallout, so for Birmingham the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.
Most plausible targets near Birmingham
| Target | Type | Distance | Assumed yield | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitehall, London | government | 163 km | 455 kt | high |
| RAF Lakenheath | military | 166 km | 300 kt | high |
| Menwith Hill, UK | communication | 170 km | 150 kt | high |
| Heathrow, London | airport | 150 km | 150 kt | medium |
| Hinkley Point | energy | 166 km | 100 kt | low |
Key blast radii (455 kt airburst)
| Effect | Radius | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Fireball | 763 m | Complete vaporisation |
| 20 psi blast | 2.6 km | Hardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities |
| 5 psi blast | 5.3 km | Most buildings collapse, widespread fatalities |
| 3rd-degree burns | 8.2 km | Full-thickness burns to exposed skin |
| 500 rem radiation | 2.6 km | Lethal dose without medical care |
| 1 psi blast | 11.9 km | Window breakage, light damage, glass injuries |
How Birmingham can prepare
With a population density of 3,500 people/km², Birmingham'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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