Submarine Implosions: A Devastating Force

Intriguing and terrifying, submarine implosions are a rare but deadly event.

Jul 10, 2023

Have you ever wondered what happens to a submarine when it implodes? How does it feel to be inside a metal tube that suddenly collapses under the immense pressure of the ocean? And why do some submarines implode while others survive? Some submarines undergo a terrifying and violent process called implosion, which can destroy them in seconds. In this blog post, I will explain what implosion is, and why it happens.

These are some of the questions that have been haunting the world since the tragic news of the Titan submersible implosion1 on June 18, 2023. The Titan, operated by American tourism and expeditions company OceanGate, was carrying five people on a tourist expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic when it suddenly lost contact with the surface and never resurfaced. After a massive search operation involving multiple countries and agencies, a debris field was discovered near the Titanic wreck, confirming that the Titan had suffered a catastrophic implosion2 that instantly killed all its occupants.

This undated image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their Titan submersible beginning a descent. (Image Credit to OceanGate Expeditions)

But what exactly is an implosion and how does it happen?

Implosion is the opposite of explosion. An implosion is a violent collapse inward of a structure due to external pressure exceeding internal pressure. In the case of submarines, this occurs when the pressure hull, which is designed to withstand the water pressure at depth, fails due to a structural defect, damage, or overload. When this happens, the water rushes in at an incredible speed, crushing the submarine and everything inside it in a fraction of a second. The air inside the submarine also ignites due to the compression, creating an explosion that follows the implosion. The result is a sudden and catastrophic failure of the submarine's structure, which releases a huge amount of energy and sound.

A modeling and simulation of the outcome of a submarine implosion subject to 10 bar water pressure where the submarine does not have any ring stiffeners or supporting structures inside. (Wei et al, 2020) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnsns.2020.105397

The pressure at which a submarine implodes depends on its design and material. Some submarines are built to withstand greater depths than others, but even the most advanced ones have a limit. For example, the Titan was built with a carbon fiber mid-section between two titanium end caps, which allowed it to accommodate more people inside. However, this also made it more vulnerable to pressure-induced flaws or instabilities over repeated dives. The Titan was rated to dive up to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), but it is believed that it imploded at around 3,500 meters (11,483 feet), where the water pressure was about 350 times that of the surface.

The implosion of the Titan is not the first such incident in history

There have been several cases of submarine implosions over the years, some of which remain mysteries to this day. For example, in 1963, the USS Thresher3, a nuclear-powered submarine of the US Navy, imploded during a test dive off the coast of Massachusetts, killing all 129 crew members on board. The exact cause of the implosion is still unknown, but it is suspected that a minor malfunction led to a loss of power and control, preventing the submarine from surfacing in time.

USS Thresher (Image Credit to U.S. Naval Institute)

Another example is the Kursk submarine disaster4 in 2000 when a Russian nuclear-powered submarine sank in the Barents Sea after two explosions occurred inside it. The first explosion was caused by a faulty torpedo that detonated in its tube, while the second explosion was likely an implosion of another torpedo due to high temperature and pressure. Out of 118 crew members on board, 23 survived the initial blasts and took refuge in a rear compartment, but they died several hours later due to carbon monoxide poisoning and hypothermia. The Russian authorities failed to rescue them in time due to technical and political reasons.

Kursk Submarine (Image Credit to Agence France Presse)

Submarine implosions are a deadly and mysterious phenomenon that fascinates and terrifies us. They show us how powerful and unforgiving nature can be, and how vulnerable human-made machines are in comparison. They also remind us of the dangers and difficulties of exploring the deep sea, which is still largely unknown and unexplored. They also raise questions about the safety and ethics of using submersibles for tourism and entertainment purposes. While some people may see visiting shipwrecks as an exciting adventure or a way to honor history, others may argue that it is disrespectful or risky to disturb these underwater gravesites or expose oneself to potential hazards.

What do you think? Would you like to go on a submarine expedition to see the Titanic or other shipwrecks? Or do you think it is better to leave them alone and respect their sanctity? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Thank you for reading Serial Science. This post is public so feel free to share it.

Serial Science

Submarine Implosions: A Devastating Force

Intriguing and terrifying, submarine implosions are a rare but deadly event.

But what exactly is an implosion and how does it happen?

The implosion of the Titan is not the first such incident in history

Discussion about this post