NUCLEAR YIELDS

The energy released in the detonation of a nuclear weapon, measured in terms of the kilotons or megatons of trinitrotoluene required to produce the same energy release. Yields are categorized as follows: very low — less than 1 kiloton; low — 1 kiloton to 10 kilotons; medium — over 10 kilotons to 50 kilotons; high — over 50 kilotons to 500 kilotons; very high — over 500 kilotons. See also nominal weapon; subkiloton weapon.