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Since the invention of high explosives, there have been a number of extremely large explosions, many accidental. This list contains the largest known examples, sorted by date. The weight of the explosive does not directly correlate with the size of the explosion, so an accurate ranking of the power of these explosions is impossible. A 1994 study by scientists and historians of 130 such explosions suggested such large explosions need to be measured by an overall effect of power, quantity, radius, loss of life and property destruction, but still concluded that such rankings are difficult to assess.^[1]

2001–present

2009 Cataño oil refinery fire 

On the morning of October 23, 2009 there was a major explosion at the gasoline tanks that was seen and heard from 50 miles away and left a smoke plume with tops as high as 30,000 feet, caused a 3.0 earthquake and blew glasses around the city. Extinguished on October 25th.

2005 Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal fire 

On December 11, 2005 there were a series of major explosions at the 60,000,000 imp gal (270,000,000 L) capacity Buncefield oil depot near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. The explosions were heard over 100 mi (160 km) away, as far as the Netherlands and France, and the resulting flames were visible for many miles around the depot. A smoke cloud covered Hemel Hempstead and other nearby towns in west Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. There were no fatalities, but there were around 43 injuries (two serious).

Seest fireworks disaster 

On November 3, 2004 about 800 tonnes of fireworks exploded in the Danish town of Kolding. One firefighter was killed, but the mass evacuation of 2,000 people saved many lives. The cost of the damage has been estimated at €100 million.

Ryongchon disaster 

A train explosion in North Korea; according to official figures, 54 people were killed and 1,249 were injured on April 22, 2004.

2001 AZF chemical factory explosion in Toulouse, France 

On September 21, 2001 the disaster caused 30 deaths, 2,500 seriously wounded and 8,000 light casualties. The quake was about 3.4 points.

1901–2000

Post World War II era

Enschede fireworks disaster 

On May 13, 2000 about 177 tonnes of fireworks exploded in the Dutch town of Enschede. 23 people were killed, and hundreds were injured.

Ufa train disaster 

On June 4, 1989, a gas explosion with a strength of 10 kilotons of TNT destroyed two trains in the Soviet Union.^[2]

PEPCON disaster 

On May 4, 1988 about 8,500,000 lb (3,860 t) of ammonium perchlorate either burned or exploded in a fire and several massive explosions near Henderson, Nevada. Two people were killed, and hundreds were injured. The largest explosion was estimated to be equivalent to a 1 kiloton nuclear air burst¹.

Minor Scale and Misty Picture 

Many very large deliberate detonations have been carried out in order to simulate the effects of nuclear weapons on vehicles and military material in general.^[3] The largest publicly-known test was conducted by the United States Defense Nuclear Agency (now part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency) on June 27, 1985 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This test, called Minor Scale, used 4744 short tons of ANFO, with a yield of about 4 kt.^[4] Although comparing explosions is difficult, this is probably the largest artificial non-nuclear explosion in history. Misty Picture was another similar test a few years later, just slightly smaller (4,685 short tons/4,250 t).

Another similar test (Operation Blowdown) was a joint UK-Australian test out on July 18, 1963 in the Iron Range area of Queensland, Australia, to test the feasibility of nuclear weapons for clearing forests and using mangled forests to slow troop movement in South East Asia, primarily Indonesia and Malaysia in the escalation against Sukarno and the Konfrontasi Malay Emergency and with a view to later Myanmar and Vietnam conflicts simmering at the time.^[5][6]

Medeo Dam, near Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan 

On October 21, 1966 a mud flow protection dam was created by a series of four preliminary explosions of 1,800 tonnes total and a final explosion of 3,600 tonnes of ammonium nitrate–based explosive. On April 14, 1967 the dam was reinforced by an explosion of 3,900 tonnes of ammonium nitrate–based explosive.

Operation Sailor Hat, off Kaho'olawe Island, Hawaii, 1965 

A series of tests was performed, using conventional explosives to simulate the shock effects of nuclear blasts on naval vessels. Each test saw the detonation of a 500-short-ton (450 t) mass of high explosives.

500 short tons (450 t) tons of HE awaiting detonation for Operation Sailor Hat.

Detonation of explosive during Operation Sailor Hat. Shock front visible moving across the water, shock condensation cloud visible overheard.

Ripple Rock, Canada 

On April 5, 1958 an underwater mountain was leveled by the explosion of 1,375 tonnes of Nitramex 2H (an ammonium nitrate–based explosive).

Cali Explosion, Colombia 

On August 7, 1956 seven trucks from the Colombian army, carrying more than 40 tons of dynamite exploded killing more than 1000 people and leaving a hole 25 meters (70 feet) deep and 60 meters (200 feet) diameter. ^{[7] [8]}

The Texas City Disaster 

On April 16, 1947, the SS Grandcamp, loaded with 8,500 short tons (7,700 t) of ammonium nitrate, exploded in port at Texas City, Texas; this is generally considered the worst industrial accident in United States history. 581 died, over 5,000 injured. Using standard chemical data for decomposition of ammonium nitrate gives 2.7 kilotons of energy released.^[9] The US Army rates the relative effectiveness of ammonium nitrate, compared to TNT, as 0.42^[10]. This conversion factor makes the blast the equivalent of 3.2 kilotons of TNT.

Heligoland 

On April 18, 1947 British engineers attempted to destroy the entire island in what became known as the "British Bang". Roughly 4,000 long tons (4,100 t)^[11][12] of surplus World War II ammunition were placed in various locations around the island and set off. The island survived, although the extensive fortifications were destroyed. According to Willmore^[12], the energy released was 13,000,000,000E10 erg (1.3×10¹³ J), or about 3.2 kilotons of TNT equivalent. The blast is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records under largest single explosive detonation, although Minor Scale would appear to be larger.

World War II era

RAF Fauld Explosion 

On November 27, 1944 the RAF Ammunition Depot at Fauld, Staffordshire became the site of the largest explosion in the UK, when 3,700 tonnes of bombs stored in underground bunkers covering 17,000 square metres exploded en masse. The explosion was caused by bombs being taken out of store - primed for use and replaced unused, with the detonators still installed. The crater is 30 metres deep and covers 5 hectares. The death toll was approximately 78 including RAF, six Italian POWs, civilian employees and local people. In the similar Port Chicago disaster below, about half the weight of bombs was high explosive. If the same is true of the Fauld Explosion, it would have been equivalent to about 2 kilotons of TNT.

USS Mount Hood (AE-11) 

On November 10, 1944 the ammunition ship exploded with an estimated 3,800 tons of ordnance material on board. Mushrooming smoke rose to 7,000 feet (2133 metres), obscuring the ship and the surrounding area for a radius of approximately 500 yards (500 m). Mount Hood's former position was revealed by a trench in the ocean floor 1000 feet (300 m) long, 200 feet (60 m) wide, and 30 to 40 feet (10 to 12 m) deep. The largest remaining piece of the hull was found in the trench and measured no bigger than 16 by 10 feet (5 by 3 m). All 296 men aboard the ship were killed. The USS Mindanao (ARG-3) was 350 yards (320 m) away and suffered extensive damage including 23 lives of her crew lost along with 174 injured. Several other nearby ships were also damaged or destroyed and altogether there were 372 killed and 371 injured in the blast.

Cleveland East Ohio Gas Explosion 

On October 20, 1944 Gas Storage tanks at Cleveland Ohio exploded; 1 square mile destroyed; 130 killed; 600 homeless

Port Chicago disaster 

On July 17, 1944 in Port Chicago, California the SS E. A. Bryan exploded while loading ammunition bound for the Pacific, with an estimated 4,606 short tons (4,178 t) of high explosive, incendiary bombs, depth charges, and other ammunition. Another 429 short tons (389 t) were waiting on nearby rail cars, which also exploded. The total explosive content is described as between 1,600^[13] and 2,136^[14] tons of TNT. 320 were killed instantly, another 390 wounded. Most of the killed and wounded were African American enlisted men. Following the explosion, 258 fellow sailors refused to load ordnance; 50 of these, called the "Port Chicago 50", were convicted of mutiny even though they were willing to carry out any order that did not involve loading ordnance under unsafe conditions.^[15]

Bombay Docks Explosion 

On April 14, 1944 the SS Fort Stikine carrying around 1,400 long tons (1,400 t) of explosives (among other goods) caught fire and exploded killing around 800 people.

Interwar period

New London School explosion 

On March 18, 1937, a natural gas leak caused an explosion, destroying the New London School of the city of New London, Texas. Over 300 students and teachers died.

The Oppau explosion 

On September 21, 1921 a silo filled with 4,500 tonnes of fertilizer exploded, killing around 560, largely destroying Oppau, Germany and causing damage more than 30 km away.

World War I era

T. A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant explosion 

On October 4, 1918 an ammunition plant operated by the T.A. Gillespie Company and located in the Morgan area of Sayreville in Middlesex County, New Jersey exploded and triggered a fire. The subsequent series of explosions continued for three days. The facility, said to be one of the largest in the world at the time, was destroyed along with more than 300 buildings forcing reconstruction of South Amboy and Sayreville.^[16]

Split Rock explosion

On July 2, 1918 a munitions factory near Syracuse, New York exploded after a mixing motor in the main TNT building overheated. The fire rapidly spread through the wooden structure of the main factory. Approximately 1-3 thousand tons of TNT were involved in the blast, which leveled the structure and killed 50 workers (conflicting reports mention 52 deaths).

Halifax Explosion 

On December 6, 1917 the SS Imo and SS Mont-Blanc collided in the harbour of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mont-Blanc carried 2,653 tonnes of various explosives, mostly picric acid. After the collision the ship caught fire, drifted into town and eventually exploded. More than 2,000 people were killed and much of Halifax was destroyed. An evaluation of the explosion's force puts it at 2900 tonnes of TNT.^[17]

Battle of Messines 

On June 7, 1917 nineteen (of a planned twenty-one) huge mines — containing over 455 t (1,000,000 lb) of ammonal explosives — were set off beneath German lines on the Messines-Wytschaete ridge. Approximately 10,000 Germans were killed, and the explosion was heard as far away as London and Dublin.

Quickborn Explosion 

On February 10, 1917 a chain reaction in an ammunition plant "Explosivstoffwerk Thorn" in Quickborn-Heide (northern Germany) killed at least 115 people, mostly young female workers. Some sources claim over 200 victims.

Silvertown explosion 

On January 19, 1917 at 18:52 parts of Silvertown in East London were devastated by a massive TNT explosion at the Brunner-Mond munitions factory. 73 people died and hundreds were injured. The blast was felt across London and Essex, and was heard over 100 mi (160 km) away, with the resulting fires visible for 30 mi (48 km).

Black Tom explosion 

On July 30, 1916 1,000 short tons (910 t) of explosives bound for Europe, along with another 50 short tons (45 t) on the Johnson Barge No. 17, exploded in Jersey City, New Jersey, a major dock serving New York. There were few deaths, but about 100 injuries; also, the buildings on Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty were damaged, along with much of Jersey City.

Lochnagar Mine 

On July 1, 1916 on the start of Battle of the Somme a charge of 60,000 lb (27 t) of ammonal explosive was blown at 7:28 am. The explosions constituted what was then the loudest man-made sound in history, and could be heard in London. The mine created a crater 300 ft (90 m) across and 90 ft (30 m) deep, with a lip 15 ft (5 m) high. The crater is known as Lochnagar Crater after the trench from where the main tunnel was started.

Faversham explosion 

On Sunday April 2, 1916, a huge explosion ripped through the gunpowder mill at Uplees, near Faversham, Kent when 200 tons of TNT ignited. 105 people died in the explosion. The munitions factory was next to the Thames estuary, which explains why the explosion was heard across the estuary as far away as Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Southend-on-Sea, where domestic windows were blown out and two large plate-glass shop windows shattered.

Alum Chine. March 7, 1913 

Alum Chine was a Welsh freighter (Cardiff) carrying 343 tons of dynamite for use during construction of the Panama Canal. She was anchored off Hawkins Point, near the entrance to Baltimore Harbor. She exploded, killing over 30, injuring about 60, and destroying a tugboat and two barges. Most accounts describe two distinct explosions.

Before 1900

The Nanaimo mine explosion 

An explosion on May 3, 1887, in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, killed 150 miners.

Flood Rock explosion 

On October 10, 1885 in New York City, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers detonated 300,000 lb of explosives on Flood Rock, annihilating the island, in order to clear the Hell Gate for the benefit of East River shipping traffic.^[18] The explosion sent a geyser of water 250 feet in the air;^[19] the blast was felt as far away as Princeton, New Jersey.^[18] The explosion has been described as "the largest planned explosion before testing began for the atomic bomb,"^[19] although the detonation at the Battle of Messines was larger. Rubble from the detonation was used in 1890 to fill the gap between Great Mill Rock and Little Mill Rock, merging the two islands into a single island, Mill Rock.^[18]

Mobile magazine explosion 

On May 25, 1865, in Mobile, Alabama, in the Southern United States, an ordnance depot or "magazine" exploded, killing some 300 persons. This event occurred just after the end of the American Civil War, during the occupation of the city by victorious Federal troops.

Siege of Multan 

On December 30, 1848, in Multan during the Second Anglo-Sikh War, "A shell from a mortar struck a mosque in the city which had been turned into a magazine and stored with 400,000 lb of gunpowder. It blew up with a tremendous explosion which shook the earth for many miles round, and darkened the air with smoke and fragments." — from The History of India by John Clark Marshman, Volume III, page 340.  400,000 lb is 200 short tons (180 t).

Siege of Almeida (1810) 

On August 26, 1810, in Almeida, Portugal during the Peninsula War phase of the Napoleonic Wars, the garrison, commanded by Brigadier General William Cox lay under siege from French forces commanded by Marshall André Masséna. A shell made a freak hit on the old castle, which was being used as the main powder magazine. It initially ignited some 4,000 prepared charges, which in turn ignited 150,000 pounds (68,000 kg) of black powder and 1,000,000 musket cartridges. The ensuing explosion killed 600 defenders and wounded 300 more. The castle was razed to the ground and sections of the defences were damaged. Unable to reply to the French cannonade without gunpowder, Cox was forced to capitulate the following day with the survivors of the blast and 100 cannon. The French lost 58 killed and 320 wounded during the operation.

Delft Explosion 

About 40 tonnes of gunpowder exploded on October 12, 1654, destroying much of the city of Delft in the Netherlands. Over a hundred people were killed and thousands wounded.

Comparison with large conventional military ordnance

The most powerful non-nuclear weapons ever designed are the United States' MOAB (standing for Massive Ordnance Air Blast, also nicknamed Mother Of All Bombs, tested in 2003) and the Russian Father of All Bombs (tested in 2007), which is about 4 times more powerful than the MOAB. The MOAB packs 18,700 lb (8.5 t) of the H6 explosive, which is 1.35 times as powerful as TNT. This gives the bomb an approximate yield of 0.011 kt. As a matter of comparison, it would require about 250 MOAB blasts to equal the Halifax Explosion.

Conventional explosions for nuclear testing

A number of large conventional explosions have been conducted for nuclear testing purposes. Here are some of the larger ones, from ^[20]:

Other smaller tests include Pre Mine Throw and Mine Throw, in 1970-1974, Pre Dice Throw and Pre Dice Throw II in 1975, Pre-Direct Course in 1982, SHIST in 1994, and the series Dipole Might in the 1990s and 2000s. Divine Strake was a planned test of 700 tons at the Nevada Test Site in 2006, but was cancelled.

Rank order of largest conventional explosions/detonations by magnitude

These yields are approximated by the amount of the explosive material and its properties. They are rough estimates and are not authoritative.

See also

• List of nuclear tests
• List of accidents and disasters by death toll

References