A nuclear explosion is a complex event. A huge amount of energy is released with the total energy distributed across a spectrum of outputs: blast, heat, and several forms of radiation. Depending on the altitude of the detonation, the size of the explosion, and distance from the center, the effects vary from instant vaporization to survivable impacts. Longer term effects linger in the form of residual radiation that can harm or kill over days, months or years, varying with the exposure dosage.
The blast from a nuclear weapon is no different than from a chemical explosion (e.g. TNT) but is much larger, even thousands of times greater. The pressure wave (overpressure) is a violent wind-like effect moving outward from the center of the explosion that collapses fortifications, walls or buildings and can roll over heavy tanks or other massive objects (and ships if at sea). Direct blast effects on a human are less harmful than the indirect effect of being hit by an object propelled by the blast. That is, the human body can withstand perhaps 150 psi of overpressure with only minor injury such as ear damage, while 25 to 30 psi will collapse a building and injure or kill people within it.
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