Nuclear Weapon

A nuclear weapon (such as an atomic bomb, nuclear warhead, or just nuke) is an explosive device that derives it's destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission (fission bomb) or from a combination of fission and fusion reactions (thermonuclear bomb). Both bombs types release large quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. Nuclear weapons are responsible for the creation of the wasteland, when total nuclear war destroyed society as it was known to the world.

History
The first large-scale nuclear weapons were first invented in the during the Manhattan Project, a secret research and development operation that took place during the second world war. Sanctioned by the United States military between 1942 and 1946, the Manhattan Project took several live tests to perfect, and eventually concluded with the dropping of two atomic bombs in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war in the Pacific. Soon, the whole world knew about the nuclear bombs.

In a period of time taking up most of the 20th century, known as the Cold War, the various governing bodies of humanity began developing and researching nukes. World leaders began to realize that if their enemies had weapons of mass destruction, there would be no need for foot soldiers in a time of war, and with a push of a button they would be annihilated. In their paranoia, countries formed hasty alliances and stockpiled nukes. The two main contenders for most of the war were the countries allied by NATO (otherwise known as "The West") and the countries allied by the Warsaw Pact (otherwise known as "The East").

Tension rose and settled constantly, with a new problem arising every day. A sense of dread and nationalism was driven into the minds of civilians across the globe, as people were taught emergency protocols in the case of nuclear war. For many people, daily life was stressful and seemingly beyond their control.

On April 12, 1993, the governments of the world panicked during a missile scare of unknown origin, and nearly all nuclear weapons accumulated by humanity were launched towards countless locations across the globe, decimating the Earth, and sending what remained of humanity into fallout shelters.

Effects of Nuclear Weapons
Nuclear weapons vary in destructive capabilities, but all share similar effects. As of 1980, the average blast radius of a nuclear weapon was 4.3 miles, with complete destruction guaranteed within 1 mile, moderate damage within 2.3 miles, and light damage from there on out. Following the initial detonation, nuclear bombs release a wave of thermal radiation and an incredibly bright "flash" from the focal point, which can blind those looking at it without eye protection. The wave of radiation is capable of burning (and even melting) soft tissues and materials, and can start firestorms if enough flammable material is within range.

Following this, radioactive particles will begin to rain down across the surrounding areas, even being carried by the wind to far-off locations. This is by far the most heinous effects of a nuclear blast, as these particles will stick to a person, encouraging rapid cell mutation, which can lead to tumors, radiation poisoning, and many other cruel fates.

Nuclear bombs have also been known to produce electromagnetic pulses, which can disrupt and destroy electrical devices within range. In addition to this, soot kicked up into the stratosphere from multiple blasts could result in sunlight being blocked from entering our atmosphere, lowering the Earth's temperature and destroying food sources, in an event known as a nuclear winter.

Exposure to high levels of radiation from nuclear weapons often leads to intense radiation poisoning.

Known Nuclear Weapons

 * "Little Boy"
 * "Fat Man"