Nuclear Impact Analysis · Australia

Is Perth safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Perth and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 2,100,000 metro residents.

100/100
MINIMAL RISK

Perth city centre sits 31.1 km from HMAS Stirling (RAN submarines), the most plausible strategic target in the area (medium targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 300 kt surface burst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 99%

Run the interactive simulation for Perth →

What a strike on HMAS Stirling (RAN submarines) would mean

A 300 kt detonation produces a fireball 743 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 8.3 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 6.9 km suffers third-degree burns from the thermal pulse.

Because military and hardened targets are typically attacked with surface bursts, fallout matters here: with prevailing winds the dangerous plume would stretch roughly 86 km east of ground zero. Perth city centre lies outside the projected corridor under these wind assumptions.

Most plausible targets near Perth

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
HMAS Stirling (RAN submarines)military31 km300 ktmedium
Harold E. Holt, Australia (comms)communication1140 km150 kthigh
Pine Gap II (expanded)communication1973 km300 kthigh
Pine Gap, Australiacommunication1973 km150 kthigh
Nurrungar / Woomera, Australiamilitary1984 km150 kthigh

Key blast radii (300 kt surface burst)

EffectRadiusWhat happens
Fireball743 mComplete vaporisation
20 psi blast1.8 kmHardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities
5 psi blast3.7 kmMost buildings collapse, widespread fatalities
3rd-degree burns6.9 kmFull-thickness burns to exposed skin
500 rem radiation2.4 kmLethal dose without medical care
1 psi blast8.3 kmWindow breakage, light damage, glass injuries

How Perth can prepare

With a population density of 350 people/km², Perth'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 Perth →
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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