CTBT: Science and Technology Conference 2025 - SnT2025

Neutralization of a WWII Aerial Bomb in the Port of Rijeka: Seismological Data Analysis

P2.2-150

Not scheduled

20m

Zeremoniensaal

E-poster T2.2 Seismoacoustic Sources in Theory and Practice P2.2 Seismoacoustic Sources in Theory and Practice

Speakers

Anamarija Tremljan Milun (University of Zagreb - Faculty of Science - Croatian Seismological Survey) Viktorija Milec (University of Zagreb- Faculty of Science - Croatian Seismological Survey) Valentina Gašo (Croatian Seismological Survey)

Description

During infrastructure works in the port of Rijeka, an unexploded WWII aerial bomb was discovered at a depth of 19 meters. The bomb measured 298 cm in length, 70 cm in diameter, and weighed 986 kg, including 690 kg of explosives. Due to its size and the proximity of residential and infrastructure facilities, it was deemed unsafe to neutralize the bomb at its discovery site through a controlled explosion. To ensure safety, residents were evacuated from the city center near the port before the operation. The neutralization took place on March 19, 2023, at 1:15 p.m. (UTC+1) at a secure location, where the shortest distance from the mainland was 8,300 metres. Seismological data collected from nearby stations played a critical role in the operation. This data allowed precise determination of the explosion's location and the energy released, confirming the success of the neutralization process while minimizing risks to nearby areas.