Kathrine Frich
The map illustrates just how exposed American really is.
The map illustrates just how exposed American really is.
Declassified Map Sparks Fresh Fears
A chilling map once classified by US defence officials has re-emerged, sparking fresh fears of a nuclear nightmare.
It shows the cities and states most at risk if war breaks out, with Washington DC topping the danger list.
Washington DC Tops the Target List in Potential Nuclear Strike
The US capital is marked as the highest priority target due to its political significance.
A one-megaton thermonuclear bomb is the hypothetical worst-case scenario, with heat five times hotter than the sun’s core.
‘A Bolt out of the Blue’ Is DC’s Worst Fear
Andrew Weber, a former Assistant Secretary of Defense, described a surprise attack on the capital as “what everyone in DC fears most.”
The map illustrates just how exposed the seat of American power really is.
Pentagon at Risk: 27,000 Workers in the Crosshairs
The Pentagon, already hit during the 9/11 attacks, is seen as a prime target once again.
With tens of thousands of personnel and classified military data housed within, it would be a devastating loss.
Blast Radius Could Wipe Out Entire Metropolitan Zones
Experts warn that a detonation over a major city wouldn’t mean global apocalypse, but it would be catastrophic.
“It would not be the end of life as we know it,” said Columbia University’s Irwin Redlener, “but it would be horrific.”
Missile Silos in Montana, North Dakota as Strategic Targets
Montana and North Dakota are pinpointed due to their role in housing key missile launch facilities.
These rural regions are seen as first-strike targets in any strategic nuclear war scenario.
Other States in the Firing Line
Up to 90 active nuclear sites are scattered across the US, making them vulnerable.
These include sites in Alabama, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, most housing critical military infrastructure.
New York, L.A., Chicago and San Francisco Also High on Hit List
America’s most iconic cities aren’t safe either.
Financial centres, transport hubs, and dense populations put places like New York and Los Angeles high on the potential target list.
Rural Areas Could Offer Safety
If a nuclear strike ever hit the US, states like Idaho, Maine, and parts of Oregon may offer relative safety.
Their low populations and limited strategic value make them less likely to be targeted.