nuclear+weapon+effects

(by Ayana Stuckey) Blast and thermal effects occur to some extent in all types of explosions, whether conventional or nuclear. The release of ionizing radiation is a phenomenon unique to nuclear explosions and is an additional casualty producing mechanism superimposed on blast and thermal effects. This radiation is basically of two kinds electromagnetic and particulate and is emitted not only at the time of initial radiation but also for long periods of time afterward residual radiation.