The human body vaporises rather than burns in the centre of a nuclear explosion. Bone becomes dust. Air turns into a weapon. You don’t shout if you’re close enough. You don’t run. You simply vanished.

That isn’t overstating things. Physics is that. Additionally, researchers examined the consequences of detonating a 1-megaton nuclear bomb, which is around 80 times more potent than the one dropped on Hiroshima, in a recent modelling exercise conducted by AsapSCIENCE. Additionally, they attempted to address the question that no one wants to ask: how far would one have to go in order to survive?

Temperatures at ground zero can rise to 100 million degrees Celsius. That is hotter than the Sun’s core. Anybody in the area would be instantly turned to carbon. However, the consequences are disastrous even far from the epicentre. Anyone within 8 kilometres (5 miles) can sustain third-degree burns, which cause blisters on the skin and damage to the nerves. Depending on the weather and clothing, first-degree burns can extend up to 11 km (7 miles).

How to Survive a Nuclear Blast

Heat moves more slowly than light. Flash blindness can occur up to 21 kilometres (13 miles) distant on a clear day. Due to pupil dilation, that range rises to 85 km (53 miles) at night. To be impacted by the blast, you wouldn’t have to witness it.

It’s not a gentler shockwave. Winds can reach above 255 kilometres per hour (158 mph) within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius, which is powerful enough to topple buildings and knock people off their feet. Nearer, air pressure is sufficient to crush most structures, and speeds approach 750 km/h (466 mph). You could still be killed by flying debris or collapsing structures even if you are technically far enough away to survive the heat.

The radiation follows. Toxic particles from a ground-level explosion can travel hundreds of kilometres in fallout, poisoning the air, water, and soil. The Mariana Trench contains remnants of nuclear testing conducted during the Cold War. This crap spreads that far.

Over 12,000 nuclear warheads remain in existence. No, this isn’t only scholarly. Distance won’t protect you if something goes off. However, it could buy you some time.