Ivy Mike
USA · 1952 · 10.4 megatons · thermonuclear (hydrogen bomb)
Overview
First hydrogen bomb test.
With a yield of 10.4 megatons, the Ivy Mike is 693× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. As a thermonuclear (hydrogen bomb) weapon, it derives its energy from a fission primary that ignites a much larger fusion secondary stage.
Ivy Mike Blast Effects
The table below shows the calculated radius of each effect zone for an air burst (optimal altitude, maximum blast spread) and a surface burst (ground level, with massive radioactive fallout). Formulas are scaling laws from The Effects of Nuclear Weapons (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977).
| Effect zone | Air burst | Surface burst |
|---|---|---|
| Fireball radius | 5.86 km | 4.69 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 10.20 km | 5.61 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 21.80 km | 11.99 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 62.01 km | 34.11 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 29.72 km | 17.83 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 53.23 km | 31.94 km |
| Lethal fallout zone | minimal | ~485.3 km |
All values are 1-D ground-distance estimates from the detonation point. Real-world effects depend on terrain, weather, and building construction.
Run the Ivy Mike on a City
Use the interactive simulator to detonate the Ivy Mike on any city worldwide. Click any location on the map to see the fireball, blast, and thermal radii overlaid on real geography with population-density-based casualty estimates.
🎯 Simulate Ivy MikeRelated Weapons
FAQ
How big is the Ivy Mike blast radius?
In an air burst, the Ivy Mike produces a fireball roughly 5.86 km in radius and a 5 PSI moderate-blast zone of about 21.80 km — the area in which most residential buildings would collapse. The 1 PSI light-damage radius extends to roughly 62.01 km, where windows shatter.
What is the yield of the Ivy Mike?
The Ivy Mike has a yield of 10.4 megatons of TNT equivalent. That is 693× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.
Is the Ivy Mike bigger than the Hiroshima bomb?
The Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy) had a yield of approximately 15 kilotons. The Ivy Mike at 10.4 megatons is 693× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.
What thermal burn radius does the Ivy Mike produce?
Thermal radiation from the Ivy Mike can cause 3rd-degree burns out to roughly 29.72 km and 2nd-degree burns out to 53.23 km in an air burst. Surface bursts reduce these radii by approximately 40 percent due to ground absorption.