An
explosion is a rapid increase in
volume and release of
energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high
temperatures and the release of
gases.
Supersonic explosions created by
high explosives are known as
detonations and travel via supersonic
shock waves. explosions are created by
low explosives through a slower burning process known as
deflagration. When caused by a man-made device such as an exploding rocket or firework, the audible component of an explosion is referred to as its "report" (which can also be used as a verb, e.g., "the rocket reported loudly upon impact".)