0 a unit that has the same value as the force produced by 1,000,000 tons of TNT (= an explosive), used for measuring the power of explosions, especially nuclear explosions --
It is easy to talk about 200 megatons and to base all one's arguments on that assumption.
But it is very broadly estimated that more than 1,000 megatons would be required to ensure their destruction.
They are unlikely to explode a megaton nuclear device as they first intended.
That, at the moment, is the 100 megaton rocket, though it may get bigger.
There is the question of the weight of the megaton explosion which is now possible.
Was it of the megaton order or of the kiloton?
I do not know whether he referred to tests in the megaton range or in the kiloton range.
The capability of a megaton explosion has become possible since the end of the last war.
