Is the Cloud in the Soldier Photo an Explosion or Something Else?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of a photograph featuring US soldiers and a cloud in the background, with participants questioning whether this cloud represents an explosion or something else, such as a smokestack or an oil well fire. The scope includes visual analysis and interpretation of imagery related to military contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the cloud on the horizon is an explosion from a bomb, suggesting it highlights the costs of war.
  • Another participant argues that the cloud resembles a smokestack more than an explosion, noting the directed nature of the smoke.
  • A third participant concurs with the smokestack interpretation, reinforcing the idea that it does not appear to be an explosion.
  • One participant mentions that while it does not look like an explosion, the exact nature of the cloud is uncertain, suggesting it could be from an oil well fire.
  • Another participant comments on the characteristics of explosion clouds, stating that they are typically thinner and wispier at the stalk compared to the observed cloud.
  • Several links to images of smokestacks are provided to support the smokestack hypothesis, indicating a similarity in appearance.
  • A participant describes the observed cloud as potentially being a smokestack or steam release, noting the behavior of the exhaust as it diffuses into the air.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the nature of the cloud, with multiple competing views regarding whether it is an explosion or a smokestack. No consensus is reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the exact identification of the cloud, with various interpretations depending on visual characteristics and assumptions about the source of the smoke.

jhe1984
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This is kind of random, but I am wondering if this picture of US soldiers standing ready to receive the bodies of 5 American casualties in the GWOT (I'm not sure OIF or OEF) shows an explosion in the background.

My question is "Is that cloud on the right side of the horizon an explosion (like from a big bomb)"?

I cannot say for sure so I was going to ask yalls opinion. If so, the picture is a very somber contrast of the distant and close-up costs of war. If not, it is still a very sobering picture.

My apologies if I have difficulties loading the picture.

Thanks!
--- Here's the picture-only link while the file pends approval. (Not graphic)

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB152/000166.jpg
 

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I'm not expert at any of this, but it looks much more like a smokestack to me than an explosion. The smoke looks far too directed to be either an explosion or a cloud.

~Lyuokdea
 
I agree with Lyu, it looks much more like a smoke stack then an explosion.
 
It doesn't look like an explosion but it's hard to say what it is instead. There seems to be a tower that could be a smoke stack. The smoke itself, though, seems to be originating from the ground, as in an oil well fire.
 
Explosion mushroom clouds are thinner and wispier at the stalk.
 
http://www.sorabji.net/2001/february/20.jpg
http://www.geartekcorporation.com/dailyphoto/2005images/smokestack1.jpg
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/files/Climate/BC/SmokeStack.jpg
 
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Like what Dave's pictures show. It's either a smoke stack or steam release. You can see the bottom has a narrow band where the exhast is being accelerated out of the stack. Once it hits open air it starts to diffuse.