Shock waves produced by explosive events have two distinct components , the positive and negative wave . The positive wave shoves outward from the point of detonation , followed by the trailing vacuum space " sucking back " towards the point of origin as the shock bubble collapses . The greatest defense against shock injuries is distance from the source of shock . As a point of reference , the overpressure at the Oklahoma City bombing was estimated in the range of A thermal wave is created by the sudden release of heat caused by an explosion . Military bomb tests have documented temperatures of up to 2,480 °C ( 4,500 °F ) . While capable of inflicting severe to catastrophic burns and causing secondary fires , thermal wave effects are considered very limited in range compared to shock and fragmentation . This rule has been challenged , however , by military development of thermobaric weapons , which employ a combination of negative shock wave effects and extreme temperature to incinerate objects within the blast radius . This would be fatal to humans , as bomb tests have proven
Oklahoma City bombing
Oklahoma City bombing
Bomb