Convert Megatons of TNT to Terajoules
Convert Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT)) to Terajoules (TJ) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
TJ = Mt(TNT) × 4184
About Megatons of TNT
A megaton of TNT (Mt(TNT)) = 10⁶ tons of TNT = exactly 4.184 PJ. The Soviet Tsar Bomba (1961) yielded ~50 Mt - the largest human-made explosion ever, with a fireball 8 km in diameter. Castle Bravo (1954) yielded ~15 Mt, 2.5× its 6 Mt design yield. Modern thermonuclear warheads typically range from 0.1-1.2 Mt. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake released ~500 Mt in seismic energy. The Krakatoa 1883 eruption released ~200 Mt; Tambora 1815 ~33,000 Mt. 1 Mt(TNT) = 4.184 PJ = 1,162,800 MWh.
About Terajoules
A terajoule (TJ) is 10¹² J - the scale of nuclear yields in the kiloton range and large industrial accidents. One kiloton of TNT = 4.184 TJ; the Hiroshima bomb (15 kt) released ~62.8 TJ. The Halifax Explosion (1917) released ~3 TJ. A 500 MW coal plant consumes ~51.4 TJ/h of thermal input. Daily primary energy of Denmark is ~250-300 TJ; the UK ~3,800 TJ/day. A 1 GW nuclear reactor at 90% capacity factor generates ~77.7 TJ/day. 1 TJ = 10¹² J = 277,778 kWh = 277.78 MWh = 23.88 ktoe.
Quick Reference Table
| Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT)) | Terajoules (TJ) |
|---|---|
| 1 Mt(TNT) | 4184 TJ |
| 2 Mt(TNT) | 8368 TJ |
| 5 Mt(TNT) | 20920 TJ |
| 10 Mt(TNT) | 41840 TJ |
| 25 Mt(TNT) | 104600 TJ |
| 50 Mt(TNT) | 209200 TJ |
| 100 Mt(TNT) | 418400 TJ |