US Navy Releases Footage Of 40,000lb Bomb That Caused Earthquake

The US Navy has released an incredible video showing the moment a 40,000lb bomb was detonated in the ocean. Check it out below:

The bomb blast, which was part of a 'full ship shock trial', was so powerful it triggered a 3.9 magnitude earthquake 100 miles away at Daytona Beach in Florida.

The explosion was carried out underwater, with a Navy ship above, and aims to test how strong and durable the vessels are to gain an understanding of how they would hold up during battle.

The clip was shared on the official USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Twitter account, alongside the caption: "#Warship78 completes the 1st explosive event of Full Ship Shock Trials!

"The leadership and crew demonstrated #NavyReadiness fighting through the shock, proving our warship can 'take a hit' and continue our mission on the cutting edge of #NavalAviation!"

Although the footage is fairly terrifying, the US Navy reassured people the trials are perfectly safe.

The US Navy said in a statement: "On Friday, June 18, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) successfully completed the first scheduled explosive event as part of Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST).

US Navy

"The first-in-class aircraft carrier was designed using advanced computer modelling methods, testing, and analysis to ensure the ship is hardened to withstand battle conditions, and these shock trials provide data used in validating the shock hardness of the ship."

The statement continued: "Ford's shock trials are being conducted off the East Coast of the United States, within a narrow schedule that complies with environmental mitigation requirements, respecting known migration patterns of marine life in the test area.

"The Navy also has employed extensive protocols throughout FSST to ensure the safety of military and civilian personnel participating in the testing evolution.

US Navy

"Ford is the newest and most advanced aircraft carrier in the US Navy.

"The ship closed out a successful 18-month Post Delivery Test & Trials period in April, during which the crew completed all required testing, accomplished planned improvements and maintenance ahead of schedule, and learned valuable lessons to increase the reliability of Ford-Class systems.

"At the same time, the ship also served as the sole East Coast platform for conducting carrier qualifications."

Topics: Interesting, US News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19