The latter work was interrupted almost as soon as begun by an extraordinary phenomenon - the outburst of flames and loud detonations, easily explained at the time as a divine judgment on this direct attempt to falsify the prophecy of Christ.
German torpedo flotillas attacked enemy main fleet heard detonations.
Perhaps the most important meteors are those which, after their bright careers and loud detonations, descend upon the earth's surface and can be submitted to close inspection and analysis (see Meteorites).