Nuke the Neighborhood - Part 1

For some time now, an application called "Ground Zero" has been available to anyone who would like to know about the zone of destruction for a nuclear weapon ground burst.  The instructions for the application are chillingly simple: "Search for a place, pick a weapon and press "Nuke It".  You can check it out for yourself - including the iPad and mobile apps - by going here.

Unfortunately, in the times we now live, the above app represents a potential reality that is close enough to truth that institutions like the Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) are giving serious thought to it.  Indeed, in May of last year, UPMC began promoting a program designed to save lives that it calls the Rad Resilient City.  It's an approach that incorporates geospatial planning as two of the program's eight pillars: 

• Create a Fallout Mapping System
• Plan for a Phased Evacuation

To gain a more in depth understanding about the nature of this effort, go here.


Comment: Kudos to UPMC for taking on the unthinkable.  Tomorrow, let's see if we can add some ideas to their mapping plans.....