[jaz.357]

What would happen in the USA if they do go nuke? How big are the bombs? Would it affect our air/water?

[Sender]

It would directly affect a large area, mainly whatever lies downwind of the area for hundreds of miles. The relatively heavy fallout would mostly enter the soil and groundwater after the next rain. Some lighter dust would undoubtedly make its way around the world, but I doubt that we would experience any significant contamination. The areas around and downwind of the explosions, however, would remain hazardous for a long, long time. These areas would not be like the desolation in sci-fi movies at all. They would have plenty of plant life and seem relatively normal. People would stay there or move back in. Cancer and birth defect rates would go up. In the end, we would get blamed for it all somehow and have to foot the bill for medical and cleanup. Most significantly though, if there is a nuclear exchange, the genie will be out of the bottle, so to speak. The first one is always the hardest. The next ones are easier. Or at least, no longer unthinkable.

[FReepaholic]

See the link below:

Trans-Pacific Fallout

[Braak]

Honestly, not much...most of the weapons are low-kiloton range yield weapons...and frankly..the only folks who might have to worry is the Chinese and the Bangladeshis. The Indus and the Gangees might have an unhealthy glow to them as well.

[Centurion2000]

What would happen in the USA if they do go nuke?

Nothing

How big are the bombs?

probably 30 kilotons up to about 5 Megatons

Would it affect our air/water?

Nope, they can dump their whole arsenals into each other and the US wont feel a thing .... China and SE Asia on the other hand might glow just a bit .... depends on if they are air bursts (countervalue) or ground bursts (counterforce)

[Nuke'm Glowing]

Your question depends on if we side with India. Then China might just say the hell with it and liberate, er irradiate Wackofornia.