In most cases, the energy released from a nuclear weapon detonated within the lower atmosphere can be approximately divided into four basic categories:
The effects of a nuclear explosion on its immediate vicinity are typically much more destructive and multifaceted than those caused by conventional explosives. India Israel (undeclared) Pakistan North Korea Former United States Russia United Kingdom France China Others Effects and estimated megadeaths of explosions.There was concern in the 1970s and 1980s, later proven unfounded, regarding fireball NOx and ozone loss. Oxygen and nitrogen, though generally unreactive toward each other, form NOx species when heated to excess, specifically nitrogen dioxide, which is largely responsible for the color. The red/orange color seen here in the cap of the mushroom cloud is largely due to the fireball's intense heat in combination with the oxygen and nitrogen naturally found in air. The 14-kiloton test shot Charlie of Operation Buster–Jangle at the Nevada Proving Grounds on October 30, 1951.
