Current theory I'm seeing is it was initially fireworks or small munitions that then chain reacted and ignited a much large stockpile of explosive material
I did grad-lev work in supersonics if anyone wants to know about shockwaves (didn't take the combustion course because it was rumored to be brutal, though)
it's ugly. this comes on the heels of extensive protests and a crippling economic crisis, so the system is resource-wise unable to accommodate the wounded.
BREAKING: Lebanese Prime Minister says Beirut explosions caused by an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate left unsecured for 6 years in a warehouse. He vows to punish officials responsible. 50+ dead, 3,000 injured, hospitals overwhelmed.
It is predominantly used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertilizer.[4] Its other major use is as a component of explosive mixtures used in mining, quarrying, and civil construction.
there was a fire going on before the big explosion happened which spread to the ammonium nitrate which was likely used primarily as fertilizer but since it can be also used for improvised explosives, it's possible some extremists could have been breaking into the silo to steal some over time, and that might explain why it wasn't secured very well
In explosions like that, esp of like...fertilizer. They're devastating. We had a plant way out in the boonies by where I grew up that went up once and they blocked of miles and miles of country roads in the aftermath. And that was a plant that would have taken precautions in the first place.
big
citing local media)
the Oklahoma City bombers used approximately 2 Tons and destroyed 1 building, shattered another 286