Following the missile strikes from Iran and the widespread damage in Israel over the past few days, public interest has increased around one of the most destructive components of a missile attack: the blast wave.
While many envision the primary danger as an explosion or the penetration of shrapnel, it is actually the blast wave that is responsible for some of the most severe injuries, even in cases where there is no direct impact.
The blast wave is a brutal physical phenomenon, invisible but very palpable in the human body. What exactly is the blast wave, how is it created, how does it affect the body, and what can be done to defend against it?
When a missile, rocket, or bomb explodes, whether in the air or on the ground, an enormous amount of energy is released in the blink of an eye. This energy pushes the surrounding air with immense force, creating a pressure wave that spreads out in all directions. This wave, which moves at a speed even higher than the speed of sound, is called the blast wave.
Unlike shrapnel, the blast wave is not a solid object. It is a wave of highly compressed air, with a density and pressure much higher than normal. The wave moves at an enormous speed, sometimes more than 2,000 kph, and affects everything in its path: people, buildings, vehicles, trees, and even the ground.
Since the air itself is moving, no physical contact with the missile's metal or explosive material is necessary; it is enough to be within a certain distance from the explosion, and the blast wave can already cause severe damage.
The wave spreads rapidly in concentric circles around the explosion's epicenter, weakening as it moves further away. The closer the explosion, the higher the pressure, sometimes reaching tens or even hundreds of times greater than normal atmospheric pressures. This intense pressure suddenly forces air into openings in the body, such as the ears, nose, mouth, and lungs, causing extreme changes in the internal pressure of the organs.
Injuries that can occur from a blast wave
Injuries from a blast wave can occur in several forms. One of the most common injuries is the rupture of the eardrum, often accompanied by tinnitus, dizziness, or temporary or permanent hearing loss.
Higher pressures can tear lung tissues, cause internal bleeding, collapse lungs, and result in injuries to the abdomen or intestines. In fact, even if the person appears externally uninjured, the blast wave may have caused a life-threatening internal injury. Therefore, anyone exposed to a powerful explosion must undergo a medical examination.
Blast wave victims are classified in medicine into four levels: The primary injury is the direct impact from the tremendous pressure of the blast wave. The secondary injury is caused by the impact of shrapnel or objects propelled by the blast. The tertiary injury results from the person being thrown against a wall, floor, or hard object due to the shockwave. The fourth injury category includes all other causes, such as burns, smoke inhalation, psychological reactions, and injury to distant organs.