Physics and Pathophysiology

On detonation, a blast wave is generated by the rapid transformation of explosive material from a solid or liquid to a gas as it almost instantaneously increases in volume up to 100,000 times [3]. This results in a well-demarcated expanding shock wave of extremely high pressure.

This blast wave dissipates rapidly and is followed by the recoil of the surrounding air and a slightly longer period of low (sub-atmospheric) pressure.