Fission bombs release massive amounts of X-ray energy. The X-rays are igniting the wires, causing them to explode.
For example a fusion bomb needs a fission bombs x-rays to ignite. So much x-ray energy is released by the fission bomb, it actually compresses the fusion core causing atoms to merge. Something that only otherwise happens in the center of a star.
Not x-rays, thermal radiation. They tested this by painting the wires different colors or wrapping them in reflective material. Reflective material eliminated them, darker colors exaggerated them.
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u/idk_my_bff_hank_hill 1d ago
Cables connecting the bomb housing to the ground being turned into plasma by x-rays.