Most of the earth's population would survive the immediate horrors of a nuclear holocaust, but what long-term climatological changes would affect their ability to secure food and shelter? This sobering book considers the effects of fine dust from ground-level detonations, of smoke from widespread fires, and of chemicals released into the atmosphere. The authors use mathematical models of atmospheric processes and data from natural situations—e.g., volcanic eruptions and arctic haze—to draw their conclusions. This is the most detailed and comprehensive probe of the scientific evidence published to date.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
1 Summary and Conclusions
2 Recommendations for Research
3 The Baseline Nuclear Exchange
4 Dust
5 Fires
6 Chemistry
7 Atmospheric Effects and Interactions
8 Use of Climactic Effects of Volcanic Eruptions and Extraterrestrial Impacts on the Earth as Analogs
Appendix: Evolution of Knowledge About Long-Term Nuclear Effects
Index