Hurricane Ike versus an Atomic Bomb

Abstract

The destructive potential of one of nature’s most destructive forces, the hurricane, is compared to one of human’s most destructive devices, an atomic bomb. Both can create near absolute devastation at “ground zero”. However, how do they really compare in terms of destructive energy? This discussion compares the energy, the power, and the power per unit volume of Hurricane Ike with “Little Boy”, the smaller, in terms of TNT equivalent, of the two nuclear bombs used during World War II. By far, Hurricane Ike wins on the basis of energy comparison. However, on both power and power per unit volume, Little Boy wins. The details of the calculations are presented and the tremendous redistribution of energy that is accomplished by evaporation and condensation of water is dramatically illustrated by this discussion.