One of Our Biggest Domed Stadiums Just Imploded

One of the nation's largest domed stadiums has been destroyed in a scheduled implosion in downtown Atlanta. Nearly 5,000 pounds of explosives were on hand to blast the Georgia Dome in Atlanta to smithereens Monday at 7:30am, per the AP. People gathered at windows of tall office buildings, at a nearby revolving hotel-top restaurant, in parking lots, and at other areas around the scene downtown to watch the blast. The dome opened in 1992, and it was flattened within about 15 seconds. See video here.

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority, which includes the 71,250-seat dome, had said it would take 12 seconds for the explosives to go off plus another three seconds for sections of grandstands to be on the ground. The dome has been replaced by the $1.6 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium next door. A five-story tall industrial strength curtain between the two stadiums was on the scene to protect the new venue from damage, officials said. Only 83 feet—less than 30 yards—separates the two venues. The new stadium is home to the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer's Atlanta United. (More Georgia Dome stories.)