If North Korea has their nuculear test, how far does the radiation carry?

Question

I mean Korea isn't a big place especially.

Answer 1

North Korea will mostly likely conduct its test underground. It's limited size means that fallout from an aboveground test would inevitably carry over into neighboring nations. Those neighboring nations are China, Russia, South Korea, and to a certain extent Japan.

Especially in the case of China, North Korea is not interested in annoying its neighbors. North Korea wants to demonstrate its nuclear capability. It feels it is necessary to deter US aggression against it. It does NOT want to alienate everyone around it. China supplies significant portions North Korea's energy needs, and North Korea still hopes to negotiate concessions out of the others for toning down its behavior.

I imagine after this test, North Korea will once again suggest it is willing to negotiate to stop further nuclear development inexchange for certain things. It won't get very far if it irradiates its neighbors before the negotiations. :)

Answer 2

Everyone experiences radiation every day. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun, radiation from tiny amounts of radioactive material in rocks, radiation from fallout from Chenobyl and other nuclear incidents all contribute to what is known as background radiation, in some places it's higher than others. What is especially interesting is that in the US the highest rates of cancer occur in the LOWEST areas of background radiation - not the other way round, which has lead some scientists to question if some types of radiation do cause cancer after all. When scientists performed experiments on the animals around Chenobyl instead of finding barely any animals at all, and what were found would have terrible deformities and abnormalities they found a thriving habitat with very few deformities at all - despite most of the animals being so radioactive their bodies have to be kept in lead casing in the labs.

It all depends on the size of the explosion, and the circumstances surrounding it. When the Chenobyl reactor melted down the fallout from it went as far as Scotland - making some sheep there (in certain places) too radioactive to eat to this day. This was because the fallout from the explosion got into the atmosphere, and was blown across to Scotland where the rain brought it down to Earth.

The fallout only got that far primarily because it was an accident - most nuclear tests would seek to minimise airborn fallout to reduce the risk from radiation, which is why they are mostly performed a long way under ground.

Answer 3

It all depends on the amount of uranium used. The technology now is strong enough for everyone in Korea to experience the radiation if the bomb is big enough. The worst thing is if they explode it on land, the land will have to be quarantined. Nuclear waste has a half life of 250,000 years.

Answer 4

No radiation in earth attmosphere is good and it just stay around hundreds of years so it will eventiually get into the whole earth that lil freak of a leader is playing the same game he allways has of trying to get his way thru threats and stubborness you can just look at the guy and tell he is not all there.

Answer 5

russia and china should be very concerned because north korea is right on their doorstep
you should try looking at a map

Answer 6

IF it is an atmospheric test, ALL AROUND THE WORLD! Don't worry you'll save electricity by not needing a nignt light. Sweet dreams.