The Effects on the Atmosphere of a Major Nuclear Exchange

Book excerpt: 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 situationsâ€"e.g., volcanic eruptions and arctic hazeâ€"to draw their conclusions. This is the most detailed and comprehensive probe of the scientific evidence published to date.