Underwater detonation

G. Bjarnholt und R. Holmberg, Explosive Expansion Work in Underwater Detonations. Reprints of the Sixth Symposium on Detonation, San Diego, 1976 (iiber Office of Naval Research, San Diego, USA). 

Fuze, Hydrostatic. A fuze employed with depth bombs or charges to cause underwater detonation at a predetermined depth. Initiation is caused by increasing ambient water pressure... 

Expansion Work Calculation Together with Associated Parameters Provided by Underwater Detonation Data for HMX... 

Destructive effects of underwater detonations, differ in their distant and proximity effects. The first effect is caused by the action of the pressure shock wave, the latter mainly by the thrust produced by the expanding gas bubble. 

Underwater Detonation Propagation Test Using VP-50 Pipe... 

Hydra Program—Theoretical and Experimental Determination of Energy Partition of Selected Underwater Explosives," USNRDL-TR-702 (Oct 1963) 7) W. W. Perkins, Hydra Program. Hydra 1IA Series—The Above-Surface Phenomena Created by 10000-Pound Underwater Detonations, DASA-1443 (Oct 1963) (Conf) (Not used as a source of info)... 

Repeated throughout this work is the as is where is theme. From a safety standpoint, old explosives should be moved as little as possible for destruction. Two types of destruction, burning and underwater detonation, may allow the destruction of explosives in closer proximity to populated areas. 

The problem with underwater detonations of multiple munitions is that it may be difficult to know if all of the munitions have been destroyed because of water turbidity or a soft bottom into which unexploded munitions may have been driven. Also, there will be considerable water pollution if large-scale detonations take place. Finally, the shock waves will kill fish and other marine life. Mustard will polymerize in cold water if a shell is forced away from the heat of the blast before it opens. 

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