[Doomonyou]

The effects would be somewhat contained by the concrete jungle itself, but look at the economic and psychological impact from the loss of just two buildings in 2001. It could be hundreds of buildings even with a small nuke, and the loss of life and economic trauma would be devastating.

Also, assuming a ground burst, the fallout and contamination would be impossible to clean up, and Manhattan, (or where ever) would have to be abandoned, think Chernobyl, only 1000 times worse.

[Shryke]

think Chernobyl, only 1000 times worse.

WHOA! I don't think that is true at ALL. Chernobyl was an exposed, huge nuclear core. No WAY would ground zero be "hotter" - it couldn't be. Most of the nuclear material would be blown away.

[Dan Evans]

Also, assuming a ground burst, the fallout and contamination would be impossible to clean up, and Manhattan, (or where ever) would have to be abandoned, think Chernobyl, only 1000 times worse.

Chernobyl released a lot more radioactive contamination than any nuclear weapon. The Chernobyl plant is still operating and people still work there.