I don’t believe it was a hydrogen bomb.
If it was, though, it would mean cities would be a lot less radioactive after they explode them.
“If it was, though, it would mean cities would be a lot less radioactive after they explode them.”
H-bombs release copious amounts of neutrons. Neutrons make stuff radioactive when they bombard them.
No, even the original H-bombs were driven (ignited, and then fueled by a “conventional” Pu or U235 A-bomb. Exploded at ground level, the dust and debris blown up IS radioactive and DOES contaminate wider areas around the blast zone than a air-dropped A-bomb or H-bomb that explodes up above 15,000 - 20,000 feet altitude.
That’s why they thought A-bomb anti-aircraft missile would be effective. Blow ‘em up high enough, and the contamination is minimized, and is blown away from the target - maybe out to sea to the east.