Nuclear Impact Analysis · China

Is Shenyang safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Shenyang and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 8,200,000 metro residents.

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MINIMAL RISK

Shenyang city centre sits 296.6 km from Yongbyon Nuclear, DPRK, the most plausible strategic target in the area (high targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 150 kt surface burst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 99%

Run the interactive simulation for Shenyang →

What a strike on Yongbyon Nuclear, DPRK would mean

A 150 kt detonation produces a fireball 563 m across in radius. Reinforced concrete fails out to 1.4 km (20 psi). Most residential buildings collapse within 2.9 km (5 psi), and windows shatter dangerously out to 6.6 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 5.2 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 63 km east of ground zero. Shenyang city centre lies outside the projected corridor under these wind assumptions.

Most plausible targets near Shenyang

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
Yongbyon Nuclear, DPRKenergy297 km150 kthigh
Dalian naval basemilitary356 km300 kthigh
Pyongyanggovernment365 km300 kthigh
Incheon, Seoulairport548 km150 ktmedium
Seoul (Yongsan / government)government564 km300 kthigh

Key blast radii (150 kt surface burst)

EffectRadiusWhat happens
Fireball563 mComplete vaporisation
20 psi blast1.4 kmHardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities
5 psi blast2.9 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 blast6.6 kmWindow breakage, light damage, glass injuries

How Shenyang can prepare

With a population density of 1,900 people/km², Shenyang'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 Shenyang →
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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