Comment by manarth

11 hours ago

If you're a diver in the water, the water transmits the shockwave very effectively, and is dangerous.

If you're outside the water, the density difference between air and water acts to diffuse the shockwave.

Water is a really good absorbent of explosive energy (as long as you're not also in the same water).

Well explained. That's why I put scare quotes around "amplify" - but I couldn't find a better way to state it.