Which of the following is NOT a Height of Burst category?

• A. Subsurface
• B. Surface
• C. Air
• D. Near-surface

Answer: (D)

Height of Burst describes where the detonation energy is released relative to the ground, which determines how the blast interacts with soil, water, and structures. The standard categories are air burst, surface burst, and subsurface burst. An air burst occurs well above the surface, producing a wide-reaching blast with less ground shock; a surface burst happens at or just above ground level, creating a crater and strong ground shock; a subsurface burst occurs below the surface, resulting in intense ground vibrations with little direct surface damage. Near-surface isn’t treated as a separate category in most references—it’s not defined as its own height of burst. If an explosion happens very close to the surface, it’s described in terms of surface or subsurface effects rather than as a distinct category. That’s why near-surface isn’t a standalone Height of Burst category.