Which statement best describes the impact of a blast wave?

The choice stating that a blast wave can cause both injury to individuals and displacement of materials is correct because it encompasses the broad range of effects that a blast wave produces. When an explosive detonates, the resulting blast wave propagates outward from the point of explosion, creating a high-pressure front that can severely injure people within its vicinity, primarily through mechanisms such as overpressure and fragment projection. This wave can also displace various materials, including debris, vehicles, and even structural components in its path due to the rapid change in pressure.

The other options fail to capture the full extent of the blast wave’s effects. For example, a blast wave does not only impact the area surrounding the explosion; its effects can be felt at considerable distances, depending on the energy of the explosion. Additionally, though the blast wave may cause immediate injuries and displacement, it can also lead to longer-term environmental consequences, such as damage to ecosystems and alterations to landscapes, contradicting the assertion that it has no lasting impact. Lastly, while a blast wave does affect structural integrity, it is limited to that aspect and does not consider the range of other damages to individuals and materials, making the assessment incomplete.