Definition of nuclear winter and their effects
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for a definition of nuclear winter and an explanation of its effects. Nuclear winter refers to severe and prolonged climate cooling that is hypothesized to occur after widespread firestorms following a nuclear war, affecting global weather patterns and ecology. The request for effects suggests an interest in the consequences of such a phenomenon on the environment, health, and possibly human civilization.
Answer
Nuclear winter is a hypothesized climatic effect of nuclear war.
Nuclear winter is a hypothesized climatic effect of nuclear war, caused by smoke and soot from fires started by nuclear explosions blocking sunlight and cooling the Earth.
Answer for screen readers
Nuclear winter is a hypothesized climatic effect of nuclear war, caused by smoke and soot from fires started by nuclear explosions blocking sunlight and cooling the Earth.
More Information
Nuclear winter theory predicts severe global cooling and environmental devastation following nuclear war due to smoke and soot blocking sunlight.
Tips
A common misunderstanding is thinking nuclear winter affects only the immediate vicinity of the explosions, when it actually involves global atmospheric effects.
Sources
- Nuclear winter | Climate Impacts & Effects - Britannica - britannica.com
- Nuclear winter - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- The Risk of Nuclear Winter - Federation of American Scientists - fas.org
