Thermal effects
 

So looking at Kato's AMAZING MAPS, I see that there are alot of areas in my campaign that have been hit with various levels of thermal damage and overpressure.

What does that thermal damage do to buildings, trees, fuel tanks, vehicles and such?

And would 5PSI destroy the docks at Howland Hook or Port Newark Terminals? The cranes?

Kalos has been helping me pre-alpha test my mapping site :). Still not ready for prime time unfortunately.

For those unfamiliar with the nuke mapping it is based off this site.

http://www.carloslabs.com/node/20

I however I think I am going to add a 3 PSI ring as the jump from 1 to 5 is a pretty large one.

Sorry boss...didn't mean to out your pet project. :(

You should check this site.

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Effects/index.shtml

No worries man. They know it is coming :). I just can't make it public yet due to bugs, load testing issues and a lack of documentation.

My goal with testers is to get it into the hands of people who would get the most use out of it immediately, and you defiantly fall into that category.

Kato - So what do you think?

My methodical nature often prevents me from answering technical questions like this off the cuff. One thing I will say is that in built up areas there will be both shadows and amplifications of both pressure and thermal effects. The pretty mathematical rings should only be considered a guide.

I think in general cranes would hold up pretty well to pressure. The paint will be stripped and you may be dealing with rust after a couple years though.

Do thermal effects enough to cause a sunburn give enough heat to have trees catch on fire? An intact common residential house?

Overall my question is based around trying to see if the trees and much of the residential areas would be intact on Staten Island, from the overpressure/thermal effects only. :)

Small fires will spread. The fire damage radius will be unpredictable. Look for natural fire breaks. Rail-lines, parks, canals, highways, etc. Those areas on the "wrong side of the track" (IE closer to the blast) will be much more likely to destroyed.

I think many trees would have been hewn during that first cold winter for fuel. At least that is always what I expected to happen in Chicago.

Canon has the island being deserted since the New Jersey blasts...

The information about the area from Canon is light so I just create possible outcomes as I go. :)