US Nuclear Target Map
Out of curiosity I searched for maps that would reveal nuclear targets in the United States, and I’ve posted them here for your interest.
The nuclear targets map shown above is one that I put together based on a number of factors while looking at other maps and data including military installations, nuclear weapons storage and silo locations, bases, cities, etc.. No doubt I’ve missed a number of them, as well as other probable strategic locations, but it’s simply food-for-thought.
The large target ‘blob’ areas shown within the apparent sparsely populated regions of Montana, N.Dakota, WY/NE/CO represent known ICBM silos and nuke storage. Also, it may seem like there are more ‘red dots’ on the map than any probable nuclear attack, but believe it or not, there could potentially be more – given the many thousands of nuclear weapons in Russia (for example).
The nuclear target and fallout maps shown below are in the public domain. They vary with regards to nuclear proliferation and opinion of the day during the time they were published years ago.
Some maps are older than others and might not represent some of the changes which have occurred since their publish, but they are still interesting to examine, especially relative to one’s own location…
No one will win a nuclear exchange. History has shown that there have been psychopathic leaders – who had they possessed nuclear weapons, they surely would have used them. Are there still such people today? Of course there are. Lets hope that none of them ever are in control of ‘the button’.
The real effects surrounding the nuclear targets on any given map will depend on the type of nuclear detonation.
A ground burst detonation will not only pulverize everything within a given radius, but will also pulverize many countless tons of soil and dirt into the atmosphere. This will create a very dirty nuclear fallout situation.
An air burst detonation will still destroy buildings and everything on the ground from its shock-wave (within a blast radius), but it will not pulverize the soil and ground like a ground burst detonation would. This will result in less overall fallout in the atmosphere, however this fact is not to diminish the consequences…
In both circumstances, radiation (particles) will reach into the atmosphere and drift with the lower and upper level winds. While they will eventually fall out (some quicker than others), the effects could be long lasting.
There are many nuclear power plants located across the country. If the power grid (or part of the power grid) goes down during a nuclear exchange, there will additionally be a high probability that some (or many) of these plants will present a real and present danger if they cannot ‘scram’ in time – while critical systems are held up by diesel backup generators and dependence on a constant delivery of fuel to keep them running.
The Russians (and others?) are apparently ahead of the US with regards to EMP research and technology. Some believe that a nuclear first strike will ‘first’ involve a salvo of EMP detonations at high altitude (potentially via orbiting satellites, or launched from submarines or even off-shore freighters). This will likely take down the power grid, followed by a first wave of nuclear strike. The primary targets will likely be military installations, while a secondary wave will broaden in scope. A third wave would likely involve strategic bombers mopping up what’s left. The first and second wave could be all over in minutes to an hour (point being – it will be fast).
Okay, that said, lets look at a few target and fallout maps…
The next map is one that I made a few years ago (this post is actually an update of a previous version of the same article – added more informational text, new map or two, and improved-resized several maps).
The following map indicates several (but only a few) general regions where it appeared to me (at the time) where it might be ‘safer’ relative to other areas based on observations from other nuclear target maps and radiation and wind fallout patterns via prevailing winds. Looking at it again, I believe I shaded yellow (safety) a bit too far north into Oregon and maybe could have included several additional regions here and there (e.g. northern NH and other places which may be fairly far from a direct hit while also being away from upstream prevailing winds). Maybe one day I’ll have a new go at it…
Nuclear Weapons
The approximate official world score…
12,000 (Russia)
9,400 (USA)
300 (France)
240 (China) (Likely lots more than this)
225 (UK)
90 (Pakistan)
80 (India)
80 (Israel)
10 (N. Korea) (More?)
? (Iran?)
You might be interested to add your own comments while reading through the earlier opinions listed below…
Other useful resources:
Survival MD (Best Post Collapse First Aid Survival Guide Ever)
Backyard Innovator (A Self Sustaining Source Of Fresh Meat,Vegetables And Clean Drinking Water)
Blackout USA (EMP survival and preparedness)
Conquering the coming collapse (Financial advice and preparedness )
Liberty Generator (Build and make your own energy source)
Backyard Liberty (Easy and cheap DIY Aquaponic system to grow your organic and living food bank)
Bullet Proof Home (A Prepper’s Guide in Safeguarding a Home )
Family Self Defense (Best Self Defense Strategies For You And Your Family)
Sold Out After Crisis (Best 37 Items To Hoard For A Long Term Crisis)
SOURCE : modernsurvivalblog.com
I believe you are correct. Northern California and Southern Oregon look best. Fallout would still come from across the Pacific though. Please, if you were to select a safe community there, which would you pick?