Which type of nuclear blast is considered the most destructive?

The most destructive type of nuclear blast is a surface blast. This type of explosion occurs at or near the surface of the earth, where the explosion's energy is not only directed outward but also interacts with the ground. The result is a significant increase in the conversion of energy into damage, mainly because it generates a massive shock wave that can cause extensive destruction to structures and indiscriminately affect the surrounding area.

Additionally, a surface blast produces a large amount of fallout due to the debris that is sucked up into the fireball and then falls back to the ground as radioactive material. This makes the area not only devastated in the immediate aftermath but also hazardous for an extended period due to radiation contamination.

In contrast, other types of nuclear blasts, such as an air burst, primarily maximize blast effects and minimize fallout because the explosion occurs higher in the atmosphere, leading to less ground interaction. Underwater blasts create unique pressure waves and are more focused on impacting ships or submarines, while a space blast, while theoretically concerning, is not practically applied in military contexts that would lead to widespread destruction in a terrestrial environment.