Hiroshima 80th Anniversary: How Dangerous Would Another Nuclear Attack Be?

On August 6, 1945, the city of Hiroshima, Japan, was struck by an atomic bomb. The day began like any other, with people going about their daily lives, unaware of the history that was about to be made. At approximately 8 a.m., a single bomb, named ‘Little Boy’ by the United States, was dropped, instantly changing the course of the city. Within minutes, Hiroshima was devastated. The heat was so intense that people were incinerated, and vegetation was scorched. More than half of the city was reduced to ashes. The devastation extended far beyond the initial blast, with people continuing to die from radiation exposure for years to come. It was the first nuclear attack in human history. Today, 80 years after that destruction, the threat feels more present than ever. The world is once again at a critical juncture. The number of nuclear weapons is increasing, and threats of their use have become commonplace. Experts warn that another nuclear attack could make the devastation of Hiroshima seem minor. Considering one bomb destroyed an entire city, what would remain after a strike from today’s high-tech, more powerful nuclear weapons?