Amatol, a decades-old bomb compound containing the substance TNT and ammonium nitrate, is becoming increasingly dangerous due to its heightened sensitivity to impacts. The Earth is littered with millions of tons of landmines, particularly from the two world wars of the 20th century. Many of these bombs have remained buried and forgotten for years, but new research by a team from the University of Oslo and the University of Stavanger in Norway has revealed that Amatol is making them more likely to explode over time.
Unlike other common explosives like TNT or PETN, which remain stable over time, Amatol appears to become more sensitive to impacts as it ages under certain conditions. In experiments conducted by the Norwegian research team, they found that Amatol explosives collected from the battlefield became increasingly unstable and sensitive to impact over time. This change in properties is attributed to how Amatol interacts with other chemicals in the environment, particularly in the presence of moisture or metal contaminants.
The discovery of unexploded bombs from World War II continues to pose a significant risk as incidents involving these aged explosives are not uncommon. Recent incidents such as the finding of a 500 kg German bomb in Plymouth, England and an explosion at a construction site in Germany in 2008 highlight the potential dangers associated with these aged explosives. The research team’s findings indicate that such incidents may become more serious as Amatol-based bombs become increasingly unstable over time.
Those responsible for disposing of unexploded bombs must be aware of this increased sensitivity and take appropriate measures to ensure safe handling and disposal of these age-old explosives.
