Explosion simulates mysterious Buncefield blast

Sandrine Ceurstemont, editor, New Scientist TV

On 11 December, 2005, a massive explosion rocked a fuel storage depot in Buncefield, UK, causing ?1.5 billion in damage. Although it was clear that the fire started when vapour from a huge petrol leak ignited, the scale of the damage was puzzling. Metal structures were flattened, cars blown apart and lamp posts bent out of shape, all in a pattern of destruction that was much more extreme than what calculations predicted.

Now simulations by Mike Johnson from oil and gas consultants GL Noble Denton and a team of investigators are revealing the likely cause of the blast. By attempting to recreate the explosion, they're showing that trees close to the site could have helped propagate the flame front, creating turbulence and accelerating combustion.

In this video, the first test with propane gas and flexible pine trees doesn't result in detonation. However, in the second simulation, which uses dense, deciduous trees more similar to the hedgerows near Buncefield, a massive blast occurs.

To find out more about the Buncefield investigation, read our full-length feature "Impossible explosion: The Buncefield blast explained".

If you enjoyed this post, see how the latest fire-resistant knitwear can defy 1000??C flames or watch a spherical flame engulf fuel in space.

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