/sci/ - Science & Math

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2423465-spacexs-starship-created-a-volcano-like-explosion-in-first-launch/

https://archive.is/X08Nr

>The researchers found that what happened was similar to a type of volcanic eruption in which pressure builds up beneath a plug called a caprock, which eventually explodes. In this case, the caprock was the concrete launch pad. The pressure was caused not only by the hot gas from the rocket engines, but also because the groundwater underlying the pad turned to steam and expanded, blasting the concrete upwards.