It seems that only one 50 MT H-bomb was ever tested, the Tsar Bomba.
The highest yield test from the US was the 15 MT Castle Bravo shot, a yield that was triple the intended 5 MT on account of a misunderstanding of the efficacy of different isotopes of lithium in substituting for liquified deuterium in the impractical-as-a-weapon Ivy Mike shot.
This unexpected high yield was not considered a bonus; it terrified the personnel conducting the shot and it radiation-poisoned the crew of a Japanese fishing boa
For reference, Krakatoa, the last "mega" volcanic eruption on earth, is estimated at 200 megatons and ejected enough material high into the atmosphere to lower temperatures by 0.4c for a year. So yeah, several hundred megatons to a gigatonne is more than enough to "affect the whole world".
Im not sure thats apples to apples. Volcanic ash lowers temperatures by lowering the planets albedo. I dont think its measured linearly based on the blast rating. Impact site could also be a large factor. Since the earth is 70% covered in water then an ocean strike significantly more likely. Depending on where, this will affect tsunami damage. For example striking in the northern pacific would do more commerce damage by wiping out all of the tech industry in the US since they all want to centrally locate. A
50 MT H-bomb not "typical" (Score:5, Informative)
It seems that only one 50 MT H-bomb was ever tested, the Tsar Bomba.
The highest yield test from the US was the 15 MT Castle Bravo shot, a yield that was triple the intended 5 MT on account of a misunderstanding of the efficacy of different isotopes of lithium in substituting for liquified deuterium in the impractical-as-a-weapon Ivy Mike shot.
This unexpected high yield was not considered a bonus; it terrified the personnel conducting the shot and it radiation-poisoned the crew of a Japanese fishing boa
Re:50 MT H-bomb not "typical" (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)