# How many tons of TNT do I need to vaporize Nebraska? Need Answer Fast **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 13, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032 "2018-06-13T16:43:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/41 "2018-06-14T15:37:50Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > He Who Walks Behind The Rows is not amused. Sorry to have to ask to explain/kill the reference/joke, but … 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/42 "2018-06-14T17:28:39Z")
Isn’t there a SDMB rule against discussing illegal acts. I rather suspect it is illegal to vaporize an entire state, even Nebraska. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/43 "2018-06-14T18:02:26Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I rather suspect it is illegal to vaporize an entire state, even Nebraska. Cite? ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/44 "2018-06-14T18:30:47Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Isn’t there a SDMB rule against discussing illegal acts. I rather suspect it is illegal to vaporize an entire state, even Nebraska. Fair enough. So how many tons of TNT do I need to vaporize an area on Trantor the size of Nebraska? P.s. - Your studies of psychohistory could never have seen that coming since it is near useless at predicting the actions of an individual or small numbers of people! Muh ha ha ha ha ha! _beep_ ha ha ha ha ha! _beep_ ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/45 "2018-06-14T18:55:42Z")
According to [Nukemap](http://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/), the “Tsar Bomba” 100MT (largest bomb ever designed, but only the 50mt was ever tested) will cover about one eighth of Nebraska. So you’d need approximately 800MT to cover the whole surface. And, of course, you’d need to shape the explosion to make it hit further West/East than North/South. Better minds than mine will be needed to figure out the best burst height, but you definitely wouldn’t want to hit ground before it explodes. Otherwise you’ll lose a lot of spread force just in pushing back the walls of your own crater. Agree with the comments above that a group of smaller bombs is the better option. I would say twenty-seven 30MT bombs would be a far more efficient solution. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/46 "2018-06-14T18:55:48Z")
OP asks us to destroy all the _buildings_ in Nebraska, not to kill all its inhabitants or render it’s rivers and soil unusable. _May we assume that any plan will have the cooperation of residents of Nebraska?_ The smallest nuclear warhead ever built by the U.S. was the 15-ton (TNT equiv) Davy Crockett, which would provide 5 psi overpressure over only 5 to 25 acres (depending on what altitude it was detonated) and 5 psi is not enough to destroy a large building. Such small nukes wouldn’t be cost-effective even in cities, and certainly not to take out isolated farmhouses. The most cost-effective solution would be to use TNT (or some other conventional explosive), rather than nukes. Even half a ton of TNT, if optimally located, is enough to destroy a very large building, I think, or many small houses. A hundred kilotons of TNT or two should be plenty to destroy all of Nebraska’s building. TNT is only slightly cheaper (in $ per unit of explosive power) than A-bombs or H-bombs but the _small granularity wins_. (This calculation changes, of course, if inhabitants elect to hinder operations.). ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/47 "2018-06-14T19:30:35Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > According to [Nukemap](http://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/), the “Tsar Bomba” 100MT (largest bomb ever designed, but only the 50mt was ever tested) will cover about one eighth of Nebraska. So you’d need approximately 800MT to cover the whole surface. > > And, of course, you’d need to shape the explosion to make it hit further West/East than North/South. Better minds than mine will be needed to figure out the best burst height, but you definitely wouldn’t want to hit ground before it explodes. Otherwise you’ll lose a lot of spread force just in pushing back the walls of your own crater. > > Agree with the comments above that a group of smaller bombs is the better option. I would say twenty-seven 30MT bombs would be a far more efficient solution. And can I just say: Only on the SDMB could you have a Quaker drop by with that answer for you. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/48 "2018-06-14T19:41:34Z")
> [@Perderabo](#): > > What is the volume of Nebraska? It goes up to eleven. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/49 "2018-06-14T19:47:56Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > OP asks us to destroy all the _buildings_ in Nebraska, not to kill all its inhabitants or render it’s rivers and soil unusable. _May we assume that any plan will have the cooperation of residents of Nebraska?_ Well, it probably \*would \*add to the topography, as I think we have established… > [@TruCelt](#): > > And can I just say: Only on the SDMB could you have a Quaker drop by with that answer for you. :rolleyes: Maybe, but Nixon might have ordered it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/50 "2018-06-14T19:53:07Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Sorry to have to ask to explain/kill the reference/joke, but … 😕 > **[Children of the Corn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_the_Corn)** > > "Children of the Corn" is a short story by Stephen King, first published in the March 1977 issue of Penthouse, and later collected in King's 1978 collection Night Shift. The story has been adapted into several films, spawning a horror feature film franchise of the same name beginning in 1984. In 2009, the story was included in the book Stephen King Goes to the Movies. > Burt and Vicky, a couple trying to save their marriage, are driving to California for a vacation and to visit Vicky's brother. As... now He will need more sacrifices ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/51 "2018-06-14T20:20:40Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > OP asks us to destroy all the _buildings_ in Nebraska, not to kill all its inhabitants or render it’s rivers and soil unusable. _May we assume that any plan will have the cooperation of residents of Nebraska?_ > > The smallest nuclear warhead ever built by the U.S. was the 15-ton (TNT equiv) Davy Crockett, which would provide 5 psi overpressure over only 5 to 25 acres (depending on what altitude it was detonated) and 5 psi is not enough to destroy a large building. Such small nukes wouldn’t be cost-effective even in cities, and certainly not to take out isolated farmhouses. > > The most cost-effective solution would be to use TNT (or some other conventional explosive), rather than nukes. Even half a ton of TNT, if optimally located, is enough to destroy a very large building, I think, or many small houses. A hundred kilotons of TNT or two should be plenty to destroy all of Nebraska’s building. > > TNT is only slightly cheaper (in $ per unit of explosive power) than A-bombs or H-bombs but the _small granularity wins_. (This calculation changes, of course, if inhabitants elect to hinder operations.). I doubt that BeepKillBeep will be satisfied with mile and miles of untouched cornfields and thousands of cows left to lord over him. I agree though that TNT might be the way to go. This [cite](https://sputniknews.com/infographics/20130813182605201-Potential-Damage-From-a-1kg-TNT-Explosion/) suggests that 1kg of TNT has a complete destruction blast radius of about 1 meter. If we fill in a triangular latice of 1kg packages set about 68 inches apart we can blow it all up every last little blade of grass for the low low price of 77 megatons (give or take). ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/52 "2018-06-14T20:53:42Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > I doubt that BeepKillBeep will be satisfied with mile and miles of untouched cornfields and thousands of cows left to lord over him. I agree though that TNT might be the way to go. > > This [cite](https://sputniknews.com/infographics/20130813182605201-Potential-Damage-From-a-1kg-TNT-Explosion/) suggests that 1kg of TNT has a complete destruction blast radius of about 1 meter. If we fill in a triangular latice of 1kg packages set about 68 inches apart we can blow it all up every last little blade of grass for the low low price of 77 megatons (give or take). I love this response. A literal LOL. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/53 "2018-06-15T19:27:06Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > Fair enough. So how many tons of TNT do I need to vaporize an area on Trantor the size of Nebraska?.. 🙂 There’s many an ABTM thread which discusses this gambit. I believe the mods frown on it. Just a heads up if and when you get banned. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/54 "2018-06-15T19:31:58Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > [Children of the Corn - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_the_Corn) > > now He will need more sacrifices Ahhh. I checked and Anthony Fremont lives in Ohio. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/55 "2018-06-15T19:40:06Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > That’s not a worry. I just worry about all the destruction of the…, the loss of the cultural value of…uh, the wondrous variety of… corn porn… This is either a great typo for the yummy cousin of corn bread or do you really mean corn porn? Cause this I gotta know about. Rule 34. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/56 "2018-06-15T22:36:50Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > This is either a great typo for the yummy cousin of corn bread or do you really mean corn porn? Cause this I gotta know about. Rule 34. No typo - Rule 34 is in full force. Google is your friend. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/57 "2018-06-15T22:50:52Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > No typo - Rule 34 is in full force. > > Google is your friend. so, there is a kernel of truth there? ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/58 "2018-06-16T02:29:24Z")
Why not go the semi-natural route? Find a meteoroid of appropriate size and send your AIs out to give it a little nudge. I’m sure someone here will be happy to do the math of scaling up the ratio of object size to destructive force of the [Tunguska Event](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunguska_event) to help you select the right rock. Someone else will provide the thrust vectors needed to send it on a path straight for Nebraska. Then just wait a few thousand years, and boom! No more Nebraska! Less evidence pointing back to you, too. Plausibly deniable as a natural event. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2018, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/59 "2018-06-27T02:33:52Z")
> [@simster](#): > > so, there is a kernel of truth there? I’m not going to fritter away my time on that question. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032/60 "2018-06-28T13:44:35Z")
I, for one, am all ears. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-tons-of-tnt-do-i-need-to-vaporize-nebraska-need-answer-fast/816032.md?page=4)