Smiling Buddha
India · 1974 · 12 kilotons · pure fission
Overview
First Indian nuclear test.
With a yield of 12 kilotons, the Smiling Buddha is 1.3× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb. As a pure fission weapon, it derives its energy from nuclear fission of uranium or plutonium.
Smiling Buddha 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 | 0.39 km | 0.31 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 1.09 km | 0.60 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 2.34 km | 1.29 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 6.65 km | 3.66 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 1.86 km | 1.11 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 3.32 km | 1.99 km |
| Lethal fallout zone | minimal | ~32.4 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 Smiling Buddha on a City
Use the interactive simulator to detonate the Smiling Buddha 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 Smiling BuddhaRelated Weapons
FAQ
How big is the Smiling Buddha blast radius?
In an air burst, the Smiling Buddha produces a fireball roughly 0.39 km in radius and a 5 PSI moderate-blast zone of about 2.34 km — the area in which most residential buildings would collapse. The 1 PSI light-damage radius extends to roughly 6.65 km, where windows shatter.
What is the yield of the Smiling Buddha?
The Smiling Buddha has a yield of 12 kilotons of TNT equivalent. That is 1.3× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb.
Is the Smiling Buddha bigger than the Hiroshima bomb?
The Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy) had a yield of approximately 15 kilotons. The Smiling Buddha at 12 kilotons is 1.3× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb.
What thermal burn radius does the Smiling Buddha produce?
Thermal radiation from the Smiling Buddha can cause 3rd-degree burns out to roughly 1.86 km and 2nd-degree burns out to 3.32 km in an air burst. Surface bursts reduce these radii by approximately 40 percent due to ground absorption.