Ireland nuclear bomb map shows potential catastrophic damage amid WW3 fears
The prospect of World War Three is a deeply unsettling thought, but with escalating attacks between Iran and Israel this week - and Iran's growing alliance with China and Russia - the world feels closer to a global conflict than it has in years.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified dramatically over the past week. Israel launched extensive airstrikes on Iranian military sites and Iran retaliated with missile strikes targeting Israeli cities.
Iran has warned that any US intervention could trigger an "all-out war," while US President Donald Trump has demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender" and called for an increased US military presence in the region.
In recent years, Iran has strengthened its ties with China and Russia, creating a powerful alliance that challenges the existing international order and could dramatically shift global power dynamics.
Amid escalating tensions, fears of nuclear conflict have resurfaced, with experts warning that any wider escalation involving Iran, Israel and their powerful allies could dangerously increase the risk of nuclear weapons being used.
This has left some people asking the ultimate hypothetical - what could happen if a nuclear bomb hit Ireland?
The Irish Government has an emergency operation – called the National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures – in place to deal with any such incident. It sets out steps for a national response to such a crisis, and the subsequent transition to a managed existing exposure situation.
Now, an alarming interactive map shows how much of Ireland could be destroyed if a nuclear bomb hit. Users can check the potential impact of a nuke being detonated in their area, including the number of fatalities and injuries it could cause.
The website NUKEMAP was created by Alex Wellerstein, a historian of nuclear weapons, in a bid to "help people visualise nuclear weapons and get a sense of the scale of the bombs".
He explained: "We live in a world where nuclear weapons issues are on the front pages of our newspapers on a regular basis, yet most people still have a very bad sense of what an exploding nuclear weapon can actually do."
The map allows you to choose from a wide range of nuclear weapons already produced, tested or used.
We used the Topol (SS-25), which is currently in Russian arsenal, to see what would happen if it hit various locations around Ireland. The warhead is 800 kiloton and can deliver a payload of 1,000 kg to a range of 11,000 km.
If this nuclear bomb were to land in Dublin city centre, it could kill an estimated 330,150 people and injure a further 481,860 according to the NUKEMAP. People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, including some living in neighbouring counties Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.
The people most impacted would be those living within 0.97 km of the blast, who would be in the 'fireball radius'. The map explains anything inside the fireball is effectively vaporized.
Those living within 6.53km of the bomb would see 'moderate damage'. Areas included here include Dundrum, the Phoenix Park and Ballymun. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire".
Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - like Blanchardstown, Dublin Airport and Tallaght - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation".
The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. This includes the likes of Lucan and Malahide, as well as parts of Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities."
If this nuclear bomb were to land in Cork city centre, it could kill an estimated 109,170 people and injure a further 95,730, according to the NUKEMAP. People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, meaning it would reach as far as Crosshaven, Watergrasshill and Cobh.
Those living within 6.53km of the bomb - which includes Cork Airport and Glanmire - would see 'moderate damage'. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire."
Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - such as Passage West, Carrigaline, Blarney and Ballincollig - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation."
The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities."
If this nuclear bomb were to land in Galway city centre, it is estimated that it could kill 48,510 people and injure 36,400 more, according to the NUKEMAP. People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, including those living near the border in Clare.
Those living between 6.53km of the bomb - which includes Salthill and the Atlantic Technological University - would see 'moderate damage'. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire."
Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - such as Claregalway and Oranmore - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation."
The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. This goes almost as far as Athenry. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities."
If this nuclear bomb were to land in Belfast city centre, it could kill an estimated 182,440 people and injure a further 231,100, according to the NUKEMAP. People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, with it reaching as far as Bangor, Carrickfergus and Lisburn.
Those living between 6.53km of the bomb - such as Balmoral, the Upper Falls and Springfield - would see 'moderate damage'. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire."
Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - including Holywood, Dundonald and Carryduff - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation."
The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. This include Carrickfergus, Bangor and Hillsborough. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities."
You can try the map for yourself here.
The only two times nuclear weapons have been dropped on inhabited areas was in 1945, when the US detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As many as 220,000 people were killed in the atrocity.
However, over 2,000 nuclear tests have been conducted globally since then, primarily for research and military demonstration purposes.
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