Quantico, Va. — What do you get when you mix a 500-pound bomb and just the right weather conditions? A big boom that was felt across the Potomac Communities on Thursday.
Marines on Quantico’s munitions range detonated a 500 – pound explosive device about 2:30 p.m. While there have been larger bombs detonated at the range before, officials say low-hanging clouds helped to compound the effects heard and felt by this particular explosive.
“The controlled detonation was a part of our Operational Range Clearance initiative; nevertheless, the atmospheric conditions yesterday enhanced the sound and vibrations from the explosion,” said Quantico spokesman Lt. Augusin Solivan.
After regular munitions training, Marines sweep the field to ensure no unused explosives remain, posing a dangerous threat to anyone who could mistakenly step on one, added Solivan.
Thursday’s detonation sparked calls to 911 from across the Potomac Communities, and as houses shook the incident brought back vivid memories of August’s 5.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked the region.
As the area continues to grow do does the debate over whether or not to build near Quantico.
In Sept. 2010, Base Commander Col. Daniel Choike warned against developing North Stafford’s Boswell’s Corner, home to the expanding Quantico Corporate Center, because of it’s proximity to the munitions ranges. The top official said Marines, and law enforcement agencies like the FBI also use the munitions range to detonate weapons.
