Nuclear Impact Analysis · Canada

Is Montreal safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Montreal and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 4,300,000 metro residents.

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MINIMAL RISK

Montreal city centre sits 166.6 km from Ottawa (Parliament Hill), 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: 24.1K, injuries: 29K

Run the interactive simulation for Montreal →

What a strike on Ottawa (Parliament Hill) 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 Montreal the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.

Most plausible targets near Montreal

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
Ottawa (Parliament Hill)government167 km150 ktmedium
Boston (Route 128 tech)city403 km300 ktmedium
Pickering Nuclear, Canadaenergy474 km100 ktlow
Toronto financial districtcity504 km300 ktmedium
Manhattan financial districtcity534 km800 kthigh

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 Montreal can prepare

With a population density of 4,800 people/km², Montreal'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 Montreal →
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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