Nuclear Effects At Sea (1976)

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This video details the effects of high-altitude nuclear tests of greater than a megaton thermonuclear yield on ships, satellites, and personnel. These blasts produce an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that can knock out electrical components over a wide area and destroy electrical systems in planes, ships and satellites.

The blast causes flash blindness and retina damage to an individual looking at the blast and can cause damage to the eardrums. The air pressure can damage a ship, even causing a roll over. Also, the blast can destroy the outside structure of a ship. The thermal radiation weakens or melts the outside metal surface and burns the skin, similar to the resultant effects of a fire.

The nuclear radiation, consisting of x-rays and neutrons, alters and destroys cells and causes radiation sickness. The three-phase symptoms of radiation sickness are the initial reaction; the latent phase with no symptoms; and the final phase, requiring hospitalization. It was determined that the ship’s crewmen must take cover in hardened spaces below the water line to escape the effects of radiation. Nuclear radiation also causes failure of the ship’s electrical systems.

From underwater bursts, the shock wave travels in all directions, damaging ships in its path. A surface burst shown causing direct shock damage to the ship’s hull and secondary damage to interior components.

Publication date 1976
0800048 - U.S. NAVY PRESENTS NUCLEAR EFFECTS AT SEA
1976 Black & White Sanitized 20:30

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