[Cvengr]

While I don’t see any connection between the 2 events, I’d surmise the crater might have been caused by a ruptured fire main, which might have given a volume of reactant to a larger chemical reaction. The explosion might have consumed much of the product and left a sink hole in its wake.

Unless there were UG storage tanks of some reactants which were also consumed by the event.

[PA Engineer]

Unless there were UG storage tanks of some reactants which were also consumed by the event.

I'm leaning towards some type of UG operation. I still find it hard to believe since the area looks to be fill with a high water table. The proximity to port does have advantages and the cost to build such an operation may be justified by that alone.

I have studied many of the pictures and videos. It is possible the fill liquified. Some of the pictures indicate the surrounding fill was turned to glass. I have seen that numerous times before.

I never saw such a larger crater from a surface incident. One in particular that I investigated was a 1000psi 60in diameter gas line near a river crossing. The resulting fireball was immense and the ground was turned to glass in a radius of 100 meters ( I actually walked that one out). The crater was very small in comparison. Sadly, everyone within that radius was vaporized with silhouettes on adjacent concrete walls.

Beijing clamped down too quickly on the news. Granted they always do that and tend to lie when it is not necessary. That raised some suspicions this was a PLA industry.

The final fuel air explosion may have created the crater. That is one area I am not familiar with. Witnesses reported the air was pulled back to the center of the explosion during the final blast. That is an area outside of my expertise and maybe some other Freeper could comment on it.