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In contrast, a [[detonation]] is characterized by [[supersonic]] flame propagation velocities, perhaps up to {{convert|2000|m/s|mph}}, and substantial overpressures, up to {{convert|20|bar|psi}}. The main mechanism of detonation propagation is of a powerful [[pressure]] wave that compresses the unburnt gas ahead of the wave to a [[temperature]] above the [[autoignition]] temperature. In technical terms, the reaction zone (chemical combustion) is a self-driven [[shock wave]] where the reaction zone and the shock are coincident, and the chemical reaction is initiated by the [[Compression heating ignition|compressive heating]] caused by the shock wave. The process is similar to ignition in a [[Diesel engine]], but much more sudden and violent.
Under certain conditions, mainly in terms of geometrical conditions (such as partial confinement and many obstacles in the flame path that cause turbulent flame eddy currents), a subsonic flame may accelerate to supersonic speed,
and while existing theories are able to explain and model both deflagrations and detonations, there is no theory at present which can predict the transition phenomenon.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}
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