Northern Sea

The Northern Sea is a region of the Manhattan Wastes that was the site of an atomic explosion. While there are conflicting reports by eye-witnesses, no one contests that an explosion did occur in this location.

Background
The Northern Sea is a circle of destruction. With a 1.25 Mile diameter blast radius, it was a relatively small nuclear explosion. However, the crater has a 0.5 mile radius, indicating a low detonation altitude, compared with the Southern Sea.

The blast radius encompasses the Hudson Yards, the Fashion Technology Institute, Herald Square, Bryant Park, Times Square, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal; while the crater would have contained Pennsylvania Station, Madison Square Gardens, The New Yorker Hotel, and Manhattan West Plaza.

Inter-City Relations
The blast radius cuts into Chelsea, Kayto, Hell's Kitchen, and a small part of NoMad. The Rock and Grand Central are just outside the radius.

Most settlements avoid the Northern Sea; even the lucid Ghouls. The enemies there are not worth the risk. The area inside does not seem to have much in the way of loot to scavenge, making the radiation and danger proper deterrents.

Lore & Quests
While not directly involved in a quest itself, the Northern Sea does contain parts of settlements that each have quests and stories; and the main player will likely find the Northern Sea while traveling South through Manhattan during the main quest line.

SPOILERS: Entering the New Yorker Hotel Subbasement in the center of the crater, you will discover that there was a nuclear bomb facility directly below the hotel, with train connection to the White House. When the first explosion hit the South Tip, the resulting EMP triggered the bomb causing it to explode beneath the hotel, creating a deep crater.

Player Interaction
The Northern Sea will forever be a desolate hell; but could it be worse? Yes.