North Korean nuclear test (2013)

DPRK test 3

Test deviceNorth KoreaImplosion fission

No freely licensed photo of this device yet.

Yield · TNT equivalent6–16 kt

Key specs

Country: North Korea
Design: Implosion fission
Type: Test device
Number built: 1

Overview

North Korea’s third nuclear test, in February 2013, estimated at 6–16 kt. North Korea described the device as smaller and lighter than before.

Effect radii: estimates

Calculated for 16 kt

Fireball, maximum radius: ≈ 180 m
Initial radiation, 500 rem (5 Sv): ≈ 1.4 km
Blast 5 psi: most buildings collapse: ≈ 1.8 km
Thermal: third-degree burns: ≈ 2.1 km
Blast 1 psi: windows shatter: ≈ 5.5 km

Estimated ground ranges for an air burst at the optimum height over flat, open ground, computed from the yield with standard scaling laws. These are not measurements: real effects depend on the height of burst, terrain, buildings and weather.

Formulas from: Glasstone & Dolan, The Effects of Nuclear Weapons (1977), chapter II; Carey Sublette, Nuclear Weapons FAQ, section 5

Tests and use

Date	Event	Site	Yield
Feb 12, 2013	North Korean nuclear test (2013)	Punggye-ri Test Site, North Korea	16 kt

Sources

2013 North Korean nuclear test, Wikipedia