By Timothy Alor

Is there anything faster than the speed of sound that can cause massive destruction to both lives and properties?

The beginning month of the new dawn-2024 hasn’t been completely rosy and pleasant as a catastrophic event took place in Ibadan, Nigeria.

According to the news reports, the blast was caused by explosives stored for use in illegal mining operations. The explosives were kept in a house in the Bodija area of Ibadan, and they detonated around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday. 16/01/24.

From the site of the devastated area, thoughts ran through the minds of people wondering how the blast could affect a very large distance from the surroundings of the blast.

On August 4, 2020, there was a Beirut port explosion that was caused by the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored unsafely at the port for six years. The blast killed at least 200 people, injured more than 6,000 others, and damaged over 300,000 buildings.

How about the Tianjin port explosion on August 12, 2015??  This was caused by the improper storage of hazardous chemicals at a container terminal. The blast killed 173 people, injured nearly 800 others, and damaged over 17,000 buildings.

Don’t forget the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917, which was caused by the collision of two ships, one carrying 2,653 tonnes of explosives, in the Halifax Harbour. The blast killed about 2,000 people, injured 9,000 others, and destroyed over 1,600 buildings.

With these accounts,  it is therefore justifiable for people to wonder about the cause of the wide effect of this blast. It could have just affected the blast site and not spread, now not even the outbreak of fire but the direct effect of the blast that led to the destruction of lives and properties even without the flame.

The cause of this effect which is the center of this article and which answers our introductory question is known as SHOCK WAVES.

The massive effect of explosions cited earlier is mainly due to the shock waves that they generate. Shock waves are rapid changes in pressure, temperature, and density that travel faster than the speed of sound. They can exert tremendous force on anything in their path, such as buildings, vehicles, and people. Shock waves can also reflect and amplify when they encounter obstacles, increasing their destructive potential.

The strength and range of the shock waves depend on the amount and type of explosive material, the distance from the blast site, and the surrounding environment. For example, the Beirut port explosion was estimated to have the equivalent of 1.1 kilotons of TNT(Trinitrotoluene), and it damaged buildings up to 10 km away. The Tianjin port explosion had the equivalent of 21 tons of TNT, and it damaged buildings up to 2 km away. The Halifax Explosion had the equivalent of 2.9 kilotons of TNT, and it damaged buildings up to 2.6 km away.

In conclusion, the devastating impact of explosions transcends the immediate vicinity, leaving a trail of destruction that echoes through history. The recent tragedy in Ibadan, Nigeria, is a stark reminder of the destructive force unleashed by shock waves. These rapid changes in pressure, temperature, and density travel faster than the speed of sound, sparing neither lives nor properties in their path.

As we reflect on past incidents like the Beirut and Tianjin port explosions, and the haunting memory of the Halifax Explosion, the common thread is the ferocity of shock waves. These waves, generated by improper storage or handling of explosive materials, extend their reach far beyond the blast site. Illustrating the far-reaching impact of shock waves.

Understanding the dynamics of shock waves is crucial for improving safety measures and preventing future tragedies. As we mourn the lives lost and the communities shattered, let this serve as a call to action to prioritize the responsible handling of explosive materials and fortify our defenses against the silent fury of shock waves. Only through collective awareness and proactive measures can we hope to mitigate the destructive aftermath of such catastrophic events.