A scientist tasked with monitoring the proliferation of nuclear weapons has published what he described as a “rough simulation” of what would happen if North Korea follows through with threats to test a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific Ocean…
A scientist tasked with monitoring the proliferation of nuclear weapons has published what he described as a “rough simulation” of what would happen if North Korea follows through with threats to test a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific Ocean.
The upshot of the simulation – which was published by Lassina Zerbo, the head of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization – is that such an “atmospheric burst” could spread a “radio-isotope cloud” of radiation across the planet, potentially leading to the catastrophic loss of life.
In response to inquiries: Rough simulation (Sept15-29) of #radio -isotope cloud from hypothetical atmospheric burst over Pacific: #CTBT #IMS pic.twitter.com/361ZBkoUy7
— Lassina Zerbo (@SinaZerbo) September 28,2017
Simply a rough simulation of potential cloud that cld carry isotopes! In response to specific inquiries and nothing more.
— Lassina Zerbo (@SinaZerbo) September 28,2017
To be sure, some criticized the graphic as misleading, arguing that such a test probably wouldn’t lead to a world-wide cataclysm.
This is very misleading. Folks will interpret as cataclysmic. Localized rad levels and global fallout totally different.
— Tucker Murray (@TJM11291) September 28,2017
A Harvard PhD professor said that people “will confuse it with the kinds of fallout clouds they are used to reading about” the “shelter in place for two weeks kind.”
They will confuse it with the kinds of fallout clouds they are used to reading about, the “take shelter for 2 weeks” kind.
