Nukemap

Nukemap (stylised in all caps) is an interactive map using Mapbox^[1] API and declassified nuclear weapons effects data, created by Alex Wellerstein, a historian of science at the Stevens Institute of Technology who studies the history of nuclear weapons. The initial version was created in February 2012, with major upgrades in July 2013,^[2][3][4] which enables users to model the explosion of nuclear weapons (contemporary, historical, or of any given arbitrary yield) on virtually any terrain and at virtually any altitude of their choice.^[5] A variation of the script, Nukemap3D, featured rough models of mushroom clouds in 3D, scaled to their appropriate sizes.^[6][7] (Since [Google] deprecated the Google Earth plugin in 2016, Nukemap3D has not been functional. It is possible to export the Nukemap3D mushroom cloud files within Nukemap, using its "Export to KMZ" tool.^[8])

NUKEMAP

Screenshot of NUKEMAP as of December 2023
Type of site	educational
Available in	English
Owner	Alex Wellerstein
URL	https://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap
Launched	2012
Current status	Active

The computer simulation of the effects of nuclear detonations has been described both as "stomach-churning" (by Wellerstein himself) and as "the most fun I’ve had with Google Maps since… well, possibly ever" despite the admittedly abjectly grim nature of the subject.^[9] Originally intended in part as a pedagogical device to illustrate the stark difference in scale between fission and fusion bombs,^[10] Nukemap went viral in 2013, necessitating a move to new servers.^[6] The website averages five "nukes" per visitor.^[3] Wellerstein's creation has garnered some popularity amongst nuclear strategists as an open source tool for calculating the costs of nuclear exchanges.^[11] As of October 2024, more than 350.7 million nukes have been "dropped" on the site.^{[citation needed]}

The Nukemap was a finalist for the National Science Foundation's Visualization Challenge in 2014.^[12]

See also

• Nuclear Technology portal

• Computer simulation

References

1. Wellerstein, Alex (October 24, 2018). "To give numbers: to handle the 200K map loads per month that NUKEMAP gets, Google wants to charge me >$1000 a month. Even if I ran ads, that's not sustainable. It's crazy. Fortunately MapBox makes for a perfect alternative (esp. w/LeafLet), and has totally reasonable rates. (2/3)".
2. "The NUKEMAPs are here | Restricted Data". Blog.nuclearsecrecy.com. 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
3. Wellerstein, Alex (2012-05-04). "So Long, Mom, I'm Off to Drop the Bomb: A Case Study in Public Usage of an Educational Tool". wmdjunction.com. Archived from the original on 2013-07-27. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
4. "Restricted Data: The Nuclear Secrecy Blog". Blog.nuclearsecrecy.com. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
5. Jones, Brian (2013-07-16). "This Scary Interactive Map Shows What Happens If A Nuke Explodes In Your Neighborhood". Business Insider. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
6. "NukeMap 3D: Google Earth Sim Lets You Model Nuclear Strikes On Any Location". Huffington Post UK. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
7. "Interactive Nukemap Now In 3D - Slashdot". Slashdot. 2013-07-21. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
8. Wellerstein, Alex (June 2019). "NUKEMAP3D has been discontinued". Retrieved 2024-09-21.
9. Drew Bowling. "NUKEMAP Uses Google Maps API To Let You Blow Up The Outside World". WebProNews. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
10. Terdiman, Daniel (2012-02-23). "Nukemap: Shall we play a game? | Geek Gestalt - CNET News". CNET News. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
11. Kroenig, Matthew (2018). The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy: Why Strategic Superiority Matters. New York City: Oxford University Press. p. 42. ISBN 9780190849191.
12. "Nuclear Weapons Data Visualization Reaches Finals of National Science Foundation's "Vizzies" Award". Stevens Institute of Technology. 2014-11-11. Retrieved 2016-01-01.

External links

• Official website