Atmospheric focusing

Variations in the atmosphere create distortions in the wavefront by refracting a segment, allowing it to converge at certain points and constructively interfere.

In the case of destructive shock waves, this may result in areas of damage far beyond the theoretical extent of its blast effect.

[1] A similar effect occurs in water when a wave travels through a patch of different density fluid, causing it to diverge over a large distance.

Atmospheric focusing from supersonic booms is a modern occurrence and a result of the actions of air forces across the world.

[1] When objects like planes travel faster than the speed of sound, they create sonic booms and pressure waves that can be focused.

[2] As the meteor enters Earth’s atmosphere and reaches lower altitudes, it can create a shock wave.