238. i{heaeas nany physical and bioJ-ogical effects of nuclear }rar can be identifieda.nd to some extent investigated, the worl-d.-wide economic and social disruptlonthat wou-ld be an r.mavoidable consequence of a large nuclear var is more difficrltto exanine. Todayrs r,rorld is characterized by a laxge and increasing international 26/ K-rakat oa is a sna11 volcanic isl_and. in thecompletely blovn to pieees by underwater exllosionsAurusr IBAJ. This is the Largest recorded irotcanicSunda Straits which was aLmost when the volcano erupted an event .A/35 /392 Eegl ish Annex rase oo i nterdepend ency. A substantial number of inxnortant products are made up of parts and components from a1l- over the world. I'inancially, the business activitiesin various countrics arc hi.-hly interrelated Lhrouch agreements as r,rell as flows of currencies and credits. And the nuclear Por"/ers are also the ma-ior nodes in this internat ional netr./ork of trad.e. 239. To rlescribe coherently even the main effects of a faxge nuclear war on the economic and social r+or1d situation is not possible. In this contexh it seensparticu-Iarly prudent to luote the 0ffice of Technology Assessnent report nentionedpreviously: rrthe effects of a nuclean war that cannot be calculated are at least as ir0portant as those for lrhich calculations are atter:pteC.'t Sone general ideas could be inferred fron the study of past r,rar s as arell as of peacetime crises; examDles in the laLter category vould include the collapse of the United States stock narket in 1929, but a-Iso recent distress situations such as those folJ-oving the videspread crop failures in 1972 and I97l+. Hovever, historical evidence dwindles besid.e the possible aftermath of a large nuclear var. 2)rO. An analys-is of rhe consequences for ',rorld trade in general and supplyof essential cornmod ities in particular lrould have to tahe into account both
**Analysis**
The text discusses the potential consequences of a large nuclear war, including its impact on the global economy, international trade, and supply of essential commodities. It also touches on the difficulties of predicting and preparing for such an event. While it does not specifically focus on natural resources, agriculture, or humanitarian aid, these themes are indirectly related to the economic and social disruptions caused by a nuclear war.

**Category**
International trade, Industry, Health