Detonations are the fastest, most intense form of energy release in an energetic material.
In the simplest theories, a propagating detonation front can be considered as a discontinuity moving through the material at a speed characteristic of the energetic and background materials. Closer examination reveals the importance of much more complex and dynamic structure. This presentation describes the methodology and applications of multidimensional, time-dependent numerical simulations of detonations. Because such simulations are extremely computer intensive, they require the highest performance computing tools available and every effort must be made to produce scalable code that runs on a variety of computers. Applications discussed include the fundamental structure of gas-phase chemical detonations, nulcear detonations in Type Ia supernovae, and design of a detonation incinerator for disposing of explosives, munitions, and chemical and biological agents.