What is the primary characteristic of a seated explosion?

A seated explosion is characterized by the formation of a crater due to the localized and concentrated nature of the explosion. This type of explosion typically occurs when an explosive charge is detonated in a confined or contained area, where the energy from the explosion is directed downward and is sufficient to create a crater as it affects the ground beneath it.

This results in significant damage to the immediate area and is a distinct feature, as the cratering is often one of the most visual and telling signs of a seated explosion. A crater serves as evidence of the explosive event and helps investigators determine the types of materials involved and the nature of the explosion.

Other options do not correctly capture the defining traits of a seated explosion. For instance, a low-pressure rise with minimal damage does not align with the destructive capabilities of an explosion that would result in a crater. Similarly, moderate pressure rise with subsonic velocities is more characteristic of different types of explosions. Lastly, explosions occurring in open environments more closely relate to atmospheric explosions, which do not exhibit the localized crater formation typical of seated explosions.