List of the largest artificial non-nuclear explosions
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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 these explosions is impossible.
2005 Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal fire. On 11 December 2005 there were a series of major explosions at the 60 million gallon (273 million litre) capacity Buncefield oil depot near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK. The explosions were heard over 100 miles 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 southern Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. There were no fatalities, but there were around 43 injuries (two serious).
2001 AZF chemical factory explosion in Toulouse, France. On 21 December 2001, the disaster caused 30 deaths, 2,500 seriously wounded and 8,000 light casualties.
PEPCON disaster. On May 4, 1988 about 8.5 million pounds (3,855 tons) 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.
Minor Scale. Several, if not 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. The largest publicly-known was conducted by the United States Defense Nuclear Agency (now part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency) on 27 June 1985 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The Minor Scale test involved between 4,400 and 4,800 tons of ANFO.
Ripple Rock, Canada. On April 5, 1958 an underwater mountain was decapitated by the explosion of 1,375 tons of Nitramex 2H (an ammonium nitrate based explosive).
Heligoland. On April 18, 1947 British engineers attempted to destroy the entire island in what became known as the "British Bang" (or "Big Bang"). 4,061 (another source claims 6,800) tons of surplus WWII ammunition were placed in various locations around the island and set off. The island survived, although the extensive fortifications were destroyed.
The Texas City Disaster. On April 16, 1947, the SS Grandcamp, loaded with 8,500 tons of ammonium nitrate, exploded in port at Texas City, Texas; this is generally considered the worst industrial accident in United States history.
The Fauld Explosion. On November 27, 1944 3,670 tons of bombs exploded in a Royal Air Force underground storage facility, killing 78 (officially) and leaving a crater 400 feet deep by three-quarters of a mile wide.
Port Chicago disaster. On July 17, 1944 the SS E. A. Bryan exploded while loading ammunition bound for Europe, with an estimated 4,606 tons of high explosive, incendiary bombs, depth charges, and other ammunition. Another 429 tons were waiting on nearby rail cars, which also exploded. 320 were killed instantly, another 390 wounded.
Bombay Docks Explosion. On April 14, 1944 the SS Fort Stikine carrying around 1,400 tons of explosives (among other goods) caught fire and exploded killing around 800 people.
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 30km away.
Halifax Explosion. On December 6, 1917 two ships collided in the harbour of Halifax, Nova Scotia, one carrying about 2,600 tons of various explosives, mostly picric acid. After the collision the ship caught on fire, drifted into town and eventually exploded. Over 1,600 people were killed, and much of downtown Halifax was destroyed (1,951 names in Halifax Book of Rembrance).
Battle of Messines. On June 7, 1917 nineteen (of a planned twenty-one) huge mines - containing over 600 tons of explosives - were set off beneath German lines on the Messines-Wytschaete ridge. 10,000 Germans were killed, and the explosion was heard as far away as Dublin.
Silvertown explosion. On 19 January 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 miles away, with the resulting fires visible for 30 miles.
Black Tom explosion. On July 30, 1916 1,000 tons of explosives bound for Europe, along with another 50 tons 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.
The Nanaimo mine explosion. On May 3, 1887, in Nanaimo, British Columbia killed 150 miners and was the largest man-made explosion in the world until the Halifax Explosion.
Delft Explosion. About 40 tons 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.
