Skin burns, also known as flash burns are one of the serious consequences of a nuclear explosion. Skin burns result from the absorption of radiant energy by the skin of exposed individuals. This is caused by thermal radiation. A distinctive feature of flash burns is the fact that they are limited to exposed areas of the skin acing the explosion.
A 1-megaton explosion can cause first-degree burns (a bad sunburn) at a distance of about 11 kilometer, second-degree burns (producing blisters and permanent scars) at distances of about 9 kilometer, and third-degree burns (which destroy skin tissue) at distances up to 8 kilometer. Third-degree burns over 24 percent of the body, or second-degree burns over 30 percent, will result in serious shock, and will probably prove fatal unless prompt, specialized medical care is available. It has been estimated that burns caused some 50 percent of the deaths at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The thermal radiation consisting of ultraviolet rays, infra-red and light rays follows a nuclear explosion which creates a tremendous amount of heat, comparable to the interior of the sun in a volume of space a few inches in diameter.
Because the reaction is completed in microseconds, a violent explosion results. Near the hypo center the temperature of 6,000 degrees centigrade incinerates the body, blisters tile surfaces and instantly ignites flammable objects. At distances of about three kilometres the skin is charred, but at distances closer to the hypo centre, internal tissues are injured as if they are roasted and death occurs immediately.
As thermal radiation and the penetrating nuclear radiation of gamma rays and neutrons act upon the body simultaneously, the combined effects are lethal for those out in the open within 1,500 meters of the hypo centre, even for those who were not injured by the trauma.
Furthermore, the skin that just seconds before was scorched by the thermal radiation was ripped off leaving strips of skin hanging from the body and exposing bleeding skin surfaces. The blast wind left clothing in tatters while others were completely naked.
Because the reaction is completed in microseconds, a violent explosion results. Near the hypo center the temperature of 6,000 degrees centigrade incinerates the body, blisters tile surfaces and instantly ignites flammable objects. At distances of about three kilometres the skin is charred, but at distances closer to the hypo centre, internal tissues are injured as if they are roasted and death occurs immediately.
As thermal radiation and the penetrating nuclear radiation of gamma rays and neutrons act upon the body simultaneously, the combined effects are lethal for those out in the open within 1,500 meters of the hypo centre, even for those who were not injured by the trauma.
Furthermore, the skin that just seconds before was scorched by the thermal radiation was ripped off leaving strips of skin hanging from the body and exposing bleeding skin surfaces. The blast wind left clothing in tatters while others were completely naked.