Can dogs survive the effects of a nuclear explosion? Not everyone will survive: ten living beings who can survive a nuclear war Black rain will fall

Scientists call “nuclear winter” the state of our planet that could theoretically occur in the event of a nuclear war. It is assumed that as a result of atomic explosions, a huge amount of soot will fall into the stratosphere, and sunlight will not be able to make its way to the ground through dense clouds. Nuclear winter can last for many years, or even decades. As a result, plants will die first, then animals. In our review, 10 tips on how to survive a nuclear winter and increase your chances of survival. We hope that this fantasy excursion into a dark future will never be needed.

1. Live in the village

On the one hand, this sounds useless, but in fact, more people will survive in rural areas than in cities. In the 1960s, a study was conducted that showed that if the USSR launched a nuclear attack on the United States, 100-150 million people (more than two-thirds of the population at that time) would be killed in the first explosions alone. Large cities will become completely uninhabitable as a result of explosions and radioactive radiation. If a person lives in a large city, then he is almost certainly doomed, but in rural areas there is at least a chance of initial survival.

2. Abandon religious beliefs

This statement may be somewhat controversial, but there are many reasons why strong religious beliefs can interfere with efforts to survive a potential nuclear war. First of all, going to church every Sunday is, to put it mildly, not a priority after a nuclear apocalypse. In order to survive, you may have to do something unthinkable from the point of view of religious morality. Issues of morality will be secondary compared to the problem of survival. If a religion prohibits eating certain foods, then you need to abandon such a prohibition and eat whatever you can find.

3. Kill or release pets

So, imagine an atheist who survived the initial explosion, and after the disaster is in a country house. It's worth thinking about pets. After all, they need food, water, and care - and during a nuclear winter there will be no time for this. A person will not live long if he shares every morsel of food with his beloved dog. Some will simply eat their pet, while most will simply release it into the wild.

4. Take cover

As already mentioned, after nuclear warheads explode over major cities, huge amounts of soot and thick smoke from the fires will rise into the stratosphere, eclipsing the Sun for decades. The surface temperature will drop sharply, and the cold will persist for a long time. In other words, there will be a huge need for warm clothes, which should be taken care of in advance. Unfortunately, the cold won't be the only concern. Scientists have suggested that the ozone layer will be destroyed, meaning that huge amounts of ultraviolet radiation will hit the planet's surface, resulting in an increase in deaths from skin cancer. To avoid this problem, you should not sleep in the open air and always wear a hat to protect your face from the cold and the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.

5. Arm yourself and stockpile

Those who live in a country where guns are sold legally will find it easy to arm themselves against robbers or potential cannibals. Extreme conditions may cause many survivors to try to steal food from other survivors to prevent starvation. At a minimum, you will need to acquire a knife and an ax. It will still be possible to hunt for several months after the initial explosions (until the animals become extinct), so it's worth stocking up on meat.

6. Learn to recognize cannibals

When all large animals become extinct after a nuclear war, the emergence of cannibalism is inevitable. People who eat human flesh typically suffer from kuru symptoms, which include severe trembling and jerky head movements, sometimes accompanied by a constant smile. For example, if a walking person constantly sways from side to side, then it is better to avoid him: he is either drunk or infected with kuru. There may also be hysterical bursts of laughter in inappropriate situations. Kuru is incurable and death usually occurs within a year of infection, so human flesh should not be eaten.

7. Travel alone

Introverts will thrive in a post-apocalyptic environment, at least compared to those who instinctively reach for their cell phones when alone. Having a family during a nuclear winter (especially with children) will be very problematic. In any case, searching for a large group of survivors is not a very smart solution for those who want to avoid starvation.

8. Eating insects

The sharp reduction in sunlight and precipitation during a nuclear winter would kill off most plant life on Earth, after which most animals would quickly die out from lack of food. Therefore, small insects such as ants, crickets, grasshoppers, wasps and beetles are among the creatures most likely to survive in the long term. It's worth knowing that they are fantastic sources of protein, which will help maintain muscle mass: grasshoppers have the highest percentage of protein (20g of protein per 100g of grasshoppers). Crickets are rich in iron and zinc, and ants are a fantastic source of calcium.

9. Collect everything suitable for survival

First of all, you need to pay attention to supermarkets before they are looted. Everything will come in handy. Except for money, which will become meaningless after the collapse of civilization. Next, you should focus on food and beverage vending machines. If hunger strikes, you can try emptying some trash cans for scraps. The ideal option would be canned food that has an unlimited shelf life. It is also worth finding clothes that will come in handy when it gets cold and will last through the long years of nuclear winter. It is also highly advisable to try to find a weapon.

10. Avoid epicenters of explosions

The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 is still fresh in my memory. Despite the evacuation of the city of Pripyat, which was located next to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, hundreds of deaths were recorded due to massive radioactive contamination. To this day this city is uninhabited. The radiation levels are too high to be safe to live in. After a nuclear disaster, the level of radiation at the sites of explosions will be much higher. Needless to say, going there means signing your own death warrant.

And yet it is much more relevant today. They will help you maintain peace of mind and good mood even on the most stressful days.

Can dogs survive the effects of a nuclear explosion? Actually, they can.

In 1958, American scientists were stunned to discover a dog that survived Castle Bravo. (Castle Bravo)- the explosion of a thermonuclear charge in 1954, which became the most powerful American nuclear test. To save the dog, scientists needed... a conflict with American Airlines.

Explosions on atolls

This story was told by Ernest Williams, a trustee of the National Nuclear Test Museum in Las Vegas. If not for him, the atomic dog would have ended his days on a polluted atoll in the Pacific Ocean.

Coming from a farming family in Nebraska, Williams served in the Air Force during the Korean War. After the war, he was given top-secret "Q" clearance and began collecting atomic cores. In 1954, he was hired by the US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).

In 1956, Williams's common sense and aptitude for mathematics propelled him into a position in which he administrated all the enormous problems that accompanied the organization of Operation Redwing. (Redwing)- a series of tests on Enewetak Atoll.

Williams returned to the Marshall Islands in 1958 to participate in Operation Hardtruck. (Hardtack)- another series of tests. Jim Reeves, his boss, gave Williams a task fit for a farm boy from Nebraska.

Four years earlier, the giant Castle Bravo explosion had severely polluted the atolls of Bikini, Rongelap and Rongerik. The explosion power of 15 Mt was more than twice the calculated one. In the history of the United States, the Castle Bravo test can be called the largest radiation incident.

The inhabitants of Bikini were evacuated to Rongerik Atoll before the tests began, but from there they had to move to the uninhabited island of Kili, where their descendants remain to this day.

A small group of Americans made the first attempt to conduct reconnaissance on the abandoned atolls, but too high a background did not allow them to go deeper into the islands.

Naturally, the military took all measures to protect their people. The group landed on the atolls from seaplanes and traveled by armored personnel carrier. Before returning to the plane, the scouts left all their clothes on the shore and swam in the lagoon to wash off the radioactive dust.

So, 1958 came, and the US Atomic Energy Commission asked the question - maybe it was already safe to be on the evacuated atolls? Isn't it time to start preparing for the return of the deported residents?

Amazing dog

The Commission needed additional information on the situation on the atolls. As part of Operation Hardtruck, a second reconnaissance group was prepared. Williams had no choice - given his rural background, he was tasked with identifying the potential for rehabilitation of the atolls.

To the amazement of the scouts, during the sortie they discovered three domestic animals on the atolls - a pig, a rooster and a dog.

Actually, it was not the fact that the animals were discovered that was surprising. Pigs, dogs and chickens were introduced to the Marshall Islands centuries ago. It was a shock that three individuals managed not only to survive the most powerful American nuclear test, but also not to die for four years in the contaminated territory.

Judging by their appearance, the animals had no health problems. And for science they were priceless. Scientists could obtain real data about what happens to biological beings during life after a nuclear war.

Williams and his group recalled the skills of the hunters. They managed to catch a pig and a dog, but the rooster dodged the Americans.

Williams cannot remember what the pig's fate was. As for the dog, he has something to add.

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (Walter Reed) carried out during Operation Plumbob (Plumbbob) a program to irradiate over 700 pigs to study the effects of radiation on living organisms. Having heard about the unique dog, the institute immediately wanted to get it for itself.

The atomic dog behaved surprisingly friendly and obedient. After a long flight from the Marshall Islands, Williams and the dog ended up in Hawaii, where, with the help of AEC employee Ernest Wynkoop, they happily avoided the mandatory quarantine for animals.

But the difficulties were not over yet.

The right people

Christmas was approaching and flights to the mainland were packed with passengers and their Christmas gifts. Williams and his four-legged companion managed to get tickets for only one of the last flights to Los Angeles.

From there they had to somehow get to Washington. But even in Los Angeles, Christmas was approaching. The American Airlines employee was adamant that dogs were not allowed on board.

“I ask you, sir, to allow me to take this dog to Washington,” Williams repeated.

"No, no pets on flights during the holidays. That's what the president of American Airlines said," the airline employee responded.

“I looked into his eyes and realized that even though I was only 28 years old, I couldn’t hold back and listen to him talk anymore,” Williams recalls.

"I told him, 'Sir, if you don't let me take this dog with me, I'm going to call him on that black phone. And I assure you that after my call you will not love me."

The threat had no effect, and Williams actually had to make the call. While waiting for a reaction, Williams let the dog out to stretch its paws and do its business.

“I had just finished collecting the dog ‘samples’ when I saw an airline worker running up to me. He was, to put it mildly, very indignant,” Williams laughs.

"Who the hell are you and who are the people who know you?" - the worker shouted.

“The right people, sir,” Williams saluted and took tickets from his stunned interlocutor for himself and the dog to Washington.

"Get out!" - That was all the American Airlines employee could say. Probably for the first time in his life he had the opportunity to meet a person for whom the will of the president of American Airlines was not a decree.

Traces of the atomic dog are lost here. His further fate remains unknown. But it's not over yet for the atolls of the Marshall Islands. Bikini, Rongerik and Rongelap are still polluted and most of their residents will never be able to return home.

Ernest Williams worked in the industry for another 50 years after saving Atomic Dog. His last position before retirement was as a counterterrorism training adviser at the Nevada Test Site. Now he is free and tells stories about unknown events of the atomic age.

The ocean is very inexpensive real estate.

The work will last four years.

According to the approved plan, starting from 2024, owners of nuclear power plants will receive electricity generated by nuclear power plants at cost.

Since the advent of nuclear weapons, many people have been interested in the question of what forms of life would survive on Earth if a real nuclear war suddenly happened, the planet was irradiated and plunged into nuclear winter. The answer to this question awaits you below.

Amoeba, being perhaps the simplest form of life and perhaps the basis of all subsequent ones, will certainly survive. Amoebas have the ability to enter a sleepy mode, wrapping themselves in a protective layer, and remain in this state for an indefinite period of time.
They are resistant to radiation, and being a single-celled organism, they do not have the problem of mutations when reproducing. Amoebas reproduce very quickly on their own, they can be found all over the world in huge numbers, and they are very small, so the likelihood of their survival is very high.

2. Cockroaches

The cockroach is perhaps the most famous of all animals that has great potential for survival. Cockroaches can withstand moderate amounts of radiation and were able to survive 300 meters from where the Hiroshima bomb exploded.
Of course, modern weapons are much more powerful, and cockroaches are unlikely to survive the current nuclear explosion. MythBusters demonstrated in their tests that 10 percent of the cockroaches survived radiation levels of 10,000 rads. The Hiroshima bomb emitted 10,000 rads, so the cockroaches might have survived far from the epicenter of the radiation.
On the contrary, people exposed to 10,000 rads of radiation would instantly suffer from a coma, and very quickly this would lead to death. Cockroaches' ability to survive is due to their slow growth rate. Their cells reproduce every 48 hours, reducing the risk of mutations.

3. Scorpios

Anyone who has seen scorpions living in captivity knows that they can withstand ultraviolet radiation. In addition, they have a chance to survive in the event of a nuclear explosion.
Scorpions live on every continent except Antarctica, and they can be frozen and brought back to life, which would help them in the event of a nuclear winter.
They can often be found in burrows and cracks, giving them some physical protection from radiation and fallout. Scorpios are very resilient and have remained virtually unchanged throughout evolution due to their ideal shape.

4. Braconid wasps

5. Lingulata

Lingulate belongs to the class of brachiopods or animals with valve shells. The name of these animals is translated from Latin as “tongue” due to the shape of their shell.
There have been five mass extinctions in Earth's history where most life was wiped out. Lingulata survived all mass extinctions, perhaps due to the ability to burrow deep into the ground during difficult periods and later reappear.
Despite their survival skills, scientists still can't say how they do it, but they probably also have a good chance of surviving a nuclear war.

6. Fruit flies

Fruit flies or fruit flies can survive high doses of radiation up to 64,000 rads.
Many insects are able to withstand radiation due to their slow cell division and very rapid reproduction, as is the case with fruit flies. The ability to reproduce means that they can mutate very quickly with any changes.
The small size of fruit flies also works to their advantage, as fewer cells are exposed to radiation and there is less surface area to absorb it.

Surprisingly, it is quite possible that people will be able to survive a nuclear war. First, the number of nuclear weapons in the world is decreasing. And although existing bombs could wipe out everything from the face of the Earth, this is unlikely since people are scattered throughout the world.
Now the bombs are 1000 times more powerful than the one dropped on Hiroshima, but this does not mean that 1000 times more people will die.
Given the scattering of people across the planet and the availability of nuclear fallout shelters, it is likely that enough people could survive to maintain a viable population. Fortunately, we are endowed with intelligence to find a way out of many situations, which, first of all, should be used so as not to drop atomic bombs.

8. Fundulus

Fundulus, no matter how strange its name may sound, is an ordinary fish. Fish generally do not survive so well, and any changes in salt composition, water temperature and pollution can lead to their death.
The fundulus is a special fish because it can live in almost any environment. She lives in the most polluted areas of the sea with severe chemical spills.
It is also the only fish to have been in space. Several fish were launched into the Skylab orbital station in 1973 in plastic aquarium bags, and tests showed that they were able to swim in space, and their offspring were born the same as before.
The ability to survive is related to their ability to turn genes on and off on demand. Fish can even rearrange certain body parts to adapt to a new environment.

9. Tardigrades

Tardigrades or "little water bears" are extremophiles. This means that they are able to withstand extreme environmental conditions. They can be boiled, crushed, frozen, they survive in space without water, they can be revived a decade after they were practically clinically dead.
Tardigrades only grow to 1.5mm in length, making them less likely to explode on their own. This, coupled with the ability to survive almost any conditions, including radiation, virtually guarantees their life after a nuclear war.

10. Deinococcus radioduran bacterium

If tardigrades are extremophiles, then the gram-positive, extremophilic coccus of the genus Deinococcus radioduran can be classified as polyextremophiles.
The bacterium is considered the most radiation-resistant form of life. It can repair damaged DNA so quickly that scientists are trying to use it to treat people.
It is already used to cleanse contaminated areas and as a “time capsule”.
In the event of mass death, such as nuclear war, scientists can write a message into the DNA of these bacteria, and after 100 generations, this message will remain. Researchers don't know why the bacteria became so resistant. However, if people survive, they will be able to receive messages from virtually indestructible bacteria.

Nuclear war could bring destruction and mass death, so people had better learn to get along with each other. But if such an event suddenly happened, and the earth was irradiated and plunged into nuclear winter, what would happen to life on our planet?Would everyone die out or would some survive? Here are some of the world's toughest creatures.

1. Amoebas

Amoeba, being perhaps the simplest form of life and perhaps the basis of all subsequent ones, will certainly survive. Amoebas have the ability go into sleep mode, wrapped in a protective layer, and remain in this state for an indefinite period of time.

They are resistant to radiation, and being a single-celled organism, they have no mutation problem during reproduction. Amoebas reproduce very quickly on their own, they can be found all over the world in huge numbers, and they are very small, so the likelihood of their survival is very high.

2. Cockroaches

The cockroach is perhaps the most famous of all animals that has great potential for survival. Cockroaches can withstand moderate amounts of radiation and were able to survive 300 meters from the site where the Hiroshima bomb exploded.

Of course, modern weapons are much more powerful, and cockroaches would hardly survive the current nuclear explosion. "MythBusters" demonstrated in their tests that 10 percent of cockroaches survived radiation levels of 10,000 rads. The Hiroshima bomb emitted 10,000 rads, so the cockroaches might have survived far from the epicenter of the radiation.

On the contrary, people exposed to 10,000 rads of radiation would instantly suffer from a coma, and very quickly this would lead to death. Cockroaches' ability to survive is due to their slow growth rate. Their cells reproduce every 48 hours, which reduces the risk of mutations.

3. Scorpios

Anyone who has seen scorpions living in captivity knows that they are capable withstand ultraviolet radiation. In addition, they have a chance to survive in the event of a nuclear explosion.

Scorpions live on every continent except Antarctica, and they can be frozen and brought back to life, which would help them in the event of a nuclear winter.

They can often be found in burrows and cracks, giving them some physical protection from radiation and fallout. Scorpios are very persistent and remained virtually unchanged throughout evolution due to their ideal shape.

4. Braconid wasps

Scientists have discovered that these wasps can withstand up to 180,000 rads of radiation, making them one of the toughest animals in the world.

The only problem is whether they will be able to find a victim to lay eggs, but perhaps they will succeed. In addition, braconid can be taught to smell harmful and explosive substances like dogs.

5. Lingulata

Lingulate belongs to the class of brachiopods or animals with valve shells. The name of these animals is translated from Latin as “tongue” due to the shape of their shell.

There have been five mass extinctions in Earth's history where most life was wiped out. Lingulata survived all mass extinctions, perhaps due to the ability to burrow deep into the ground during difficult periods and later reappear.

Despite their survival skills, scientists still can't say how they do it, but they probably also have a good chance of surviving a nuclear war.

6. Fruit flies

Fruit flies or fruit flies can survive at high doses radiation up to 64,000 rad.

Many insects are able to withstand radiation due to their slow cell division and very rapid reproduction, as is the case with fruit flies. The ability to reproduce means that they can mutate very quickly with any changes.

The small size of fruit flies also works to their advantage, as fewer cells are exposed to radiation and there is less surface area to absorb it.

7. People

Surprising as it may seem, it is quite maybe people can survive a nuclear war. First, the number of nuclear weapons in the world is decreasing. And although existing bombs could wipe out everything on the face of the Earth, this is unlikely since people are scattered all over the world.

Now the bombs are 1000 times more powerful than the one dropped on Hiroshima, but this does not mean that 1000 times more people will die.

Considering the scattering of people in different parts of the planet and the presence of nuclear shelters, there is a possibility that enough people will be able to survive to maintain a viable population. Fortunately, we are endowed with intelligence to find a way out of many situations, which, first of all, should be used so as not to drop atomic bombs.

8. Fundulus

Fundulus, no matter how strange its name may sound, is an ordinary fish. Fish generally do not survive so well, and any changes in salt composition, water temperature and pollution can lead to their death.

Fundulus is a special fish because it can live in almost any environment. She lives in the most polluted areas of the sea with severe chemical spills.

Also this the only fish to have been in space. Several fish were launched into the Skylab orbital station in 1973 in plastic aquarium bags, and tests showed that they were able to swim in space, and their offspring were born the same as before.

The ability to survive is related to their ability to turn genes on and off on demand. Fish can even rearrange certain body parts to adapt to a new environment.

9. Tardigrades

Tardigrades or "little water bears" are extremophiles. This means that they are able to withstand extreme environmental conditions. They can be boiled, crushed, frozen, they survive in space without water, they can be revived a decade after they were practically clinically dead.

Tardigrades only grow to 1.5mm in length, making them less likely to explode on their own. This, coupled with the ability to survive almost any conditions, including radiation, virtually guarantees their life after a nuclear war.

10. Deinococcus radioduran bacterium

If tardigrades are extremophiles, then the gram-positive, extremophilic coccus of the genus Deinococcus radioduran can be classified as polyextremophiles.

The bacterium is considered most radiation resistant life form. It can repair damaged DNA so quickly that scientists are trying to use it to treat people.

It is already used to cleanse contaminated areas and as a “time capsule”.

In the event of mass death, such as nuclear war, scientists can write a message into the DNA of these bacteria, and after 100 generations this message will remain. Researchers don't know why the bacteria became so resistant. However, if people survive, they will be able to receive messages from virtually indestructible bacteria.

It is no secret that the consequences of a nuclear war can be very disastrous. Massive destruction, the death of millions, or even billions of people, thousands of species of animals and plants, a long nuclear winter are just some of the possible consequences. But will any living beings be able to survive a nuclear war if something happens? It turns out they can. And there are at least 10 of them. Amoebas don’t care about nuclear war

In the event of a cataclysm, amoebas will be able to restore the population of the species in the shortest possible time. The simplest form of life can survive any global cataclysm. Amoebas can suspend all life processes and spend any amount of time in a “frozen” state. These single-celled organisms are found in huge quantities in almost all corners of the world, so it is not possible to destroy them all. Amoebas are resistant to radiation, and they simply cannot have genetic mutations. These organisms can reproduce quickly enough, so that even if 99% of the amoebas are destroyed, the surviving representatives will resume the population of the species in the shortest possible time. Cockroaches

Cockroaches are perhaps the most tenacious insects! Probably the most famous animal that can survive a nuclear war is the cockroach. This insect can withstand huge doses of radiation. This is interesting: Scientists have found that the cockroaches that were at the time of the nuclear bomb explosion in Hiroshima, just 300 meters from the epicenter, remained alive. Even though modern nuclear bombs are much more powerful than the Little Boy bomb dropped on Hiroshima, the extinction of all cockroaches in the event of a global atomic war is unlikely. MythBusters claim that 10% of the cockroaches in their trial survived exposure to 10,000 rads of radiation. For humans, this dose is considered lethal. Death occurs within a few hours from damage to the central nervous system. Why is the fatal dose of radiation for humans not the same for cockroaches? The fact is that the growth rate of these insects is extremely low. Cockroach cells divide only once every 48 hours, so the risk of their mutation is minimal. Scorpion

Scorpions live on all continents except Antarctica. Scorpions are another animal that can survive the consequences of even the most destructive nuclear war. Scorpions tolerate both ultraviolet and nuclear radiation. They can adapt to any living conditions. Nowadays they are found on all continents except Antarctica. In addition, a scorpion can even survive complete freezing. If something happens, they will simply “wait out” the nuclear winter in a state of suspended animation, and when the temperature on Earth rises again, they will return to life. Scorpions often hide in holes or cracks. Such shelters will provide them with some physical protection, such as from fallout and penetrating ionized radiation. This is interesting: These animals practically do not undergo genetic mutations even during evolution. Therefore, scorpions that lived, for example, 300 million years ago, are practically no different from their modern counterparts. Braconid wasps

Lingulates survived 99% of all species that existed on our planet. Lingulates are a class of animals of the Brachiopod type. Essentially, these are ordinary mollusks. The name comes from the Latin word lingula, translated as “tongue”. Their shell is exactly like their tongue. There have been five mass extinctions in Earth's history (we may be living in the sixth). Let's list them: 440 million years ago, during the Ordovician-Silurian extinction, approximately 60% of the species of marine invertebrate organisms disappeared. The Devonian extinction occurred 364 million years ago. During this period, the total number of marine species decreased by 2 times. During the “great” Permian extinction, approximately 95% of all plant and animal species disappeared. This happened 251 million years ago. More than half of all living organisms lost their evolutionary path 199 million years ago, during the Triassic extinction event. 65.5 million years ago, dinosaurs disappeared from the face of the earth, and with them another 18% of all species. Scientists call this extinction the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. Surprisingly, lingulates survived all 5 mass extinctions without any problems. It seems that in critical cases these animals are capable of burrowing deep into the ground and entering into suspended animation. But this is just a guess. This is interesting: Scientists do not know how lingulates managed to survive 99% of all species that have ever existed on Earth. Despite this, few doubt that they are capable of surviving a global nuclear war. Drosophila

Drosophila flies can tolerate radiation up to 64 thousand rads. Drosophila fruit flies can tolerate high doses of radiation - up to approximately 64,000 rads. If the cockroaches mentioned above are able to survive a nuclear war thanks to slow cell division, fruit flies have another trump card. They reproduce very quickly and have only 8 chromosomes. The small size of fruit flies also plays an important role. The fact is that due to their small body area, fewer cells are exposed to radiation than in other animals. People

Love saves the world! Are you surprised that there are people on this list? But in vain! Despite the fact that humans are not highly resistant to the effects of radiation, the chances of our species surviving a nuclear war are quite high. And there are several reasons for this. First, the number of nuclear weapons in the world is actually decreasing, which means fewer bombs. Secondly, from a purely technical point of view, it is very difficult to destroy all people without exception, because they are too widely scattered around the world. This is interesting: Although some modern bombs are 1000 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, this does not mean that if they exploded, 1000 times more people would die. Much depends on where exactly the deadly projectile will be dropped. For example, if an explosion occurs in the remote taiga, tens, maximum, hundreds of people will die. If in a densely populated city, for example, New York, then the number of victims can be in the millions. Other factors also play an important role, for example, the terrain or the nature of the explosion (ground, air, etc.) There are thousands of bomb shelters in the world. There is no doubt that in the event of a nuclear apocalypse, many people will take refuge in them. Most likely, there will be enough survivors that they will be able to repopulate the earth. True, after reaching the surface, these people will be forced to “return” to the Stone Age, and they will have to forget about all the scientific and technical achievements of our civilization for a long time. Fundulus

Fundulus live where other fish cannot live. You may think that the fundulus is some kind of mythical creature from Hogwarts, but in fact it is an ordinary fish. It is believed that marine inhabitants are very picky about environmental conditions. A small change in water temperature, salinity or chemical composition can trigger their mass death. However, fundulus can live anywhere. Scientists find representatives of this species in the most polluted areas of the sea, for example, in areas of oil spills. And this fish also managed to visit space! Several specimens were flown to the Skylab space station in 1973. Scientists have discovered that weightlessness does not cause them any particular inconvenience (if there is water in a closed container, of course). Funduluses have even produced offspring in space! Their main secret is the ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions. Tardigrade

It is almost impossible to kill a tardigrade. The tardigrade (or water bear) is a close relative of insects and spiders. The size of adult representatives of this species does not exceed 1 millimeter. Interestingly, adult water bears differ from individuals that have just hatched from eggs solely in size. The number of cells in tardigrades does not increase from the moment of birth. They (the cells) simply increase in size. When tardigrades were discovered in hot springs at great depths, scientists decided to find out what conditions they could tolerate. In December 2006, an interesting article was published in one of the scientific journals. It was about how one of the representatives of this species, kept in a museum in a dry environment for more than 120 years, suddenly moved its paw! This is interesting: Research has helped to find out that tardigrades can withstand truly extreme conditions: they can literally be boiled, crushed, frozen, sent into space, or kept without water for several decades. All this will not prevent “clinically dead” organisms from subsequently coming to life! In 1998, Japanese researchers Kunihiro Seki and Mosato Toyoshima placed two species of water bears in tiny containers, which were then dipped into liquid perfluorocarbons. The animals were under incredible pressure of 600 megapascals for about half an hour. This is about 6 times the pressure at the bottom of the Mariana Trench (the deepest point of the world's oceans). Amazingly, 82% of tardigrades of one species and 96% of individuals of another species were able to survive. For comparison: all bacteria known to scientists die at a pressure of 200 megapascals. But experts had the most reason to be surprised in 2007, when water bears were sent into low-Earth orbit on the Foton-M3 space satellite. Adult tardigrades and their eggs spent a week and a half in a box attached to the outer wall of the satellite. They were not protected from vacuum or deadly ionizing rays, and the ambient temperature was -272°C! Amazingly, 68% of tardigrades successfully survived the test. The eggs of water bears that had been in outer space were no different from the others in terms of viability. Unfortunately, researchers do not know what causes the amazing endurance of tardigrades. Bacteria Deinococcus radioduran

The bacterium Deinococcus radioduran has an amazing ability: it independently repairs damaged sections of its DNA! This bacterium is the most radiation-resistant life form on Earth. It can independently repair damaged sections of DNA, and this process occurs very quickly. Members of the scientific community are currently researching this organism to see if it can be used to treat humans. The bacterium Deinococcus radioduran is already used today to eliminate various contaminants. And it can also become a kind of “time capsule”! If humans are threatened with mass extinction, such as from nuclear war, genetic scientists will be able to “write” a message into the DNA of Deinococcus radioduran. Even after 100 generations it will remain unchanged. At this stage, scientists can only speculate as to why the bacterium Deinococcus radioduran has become so resistant. Of course, it can be very interesting to speculate about what the world might look like after a nuclear war. But the main task of people is to prevent us from ever testing the corresponding guesses in practice.