Rocket event in Maryland, Assateague Island area, United States of America on Sun 31st July 2022

A beach along MarylandÕs Assateague Island National Seashore has been temporarily shuttered by the National Park Service as a growing number of unexploded military ordnance is being discovered at the former U.S. Navy testing site. Part of the North Beach Swimming area Ð which normally is patrolled by lifeguards Ð was closed until further notice starting Sunday Òbecause of the discovery of multiple (7 and counting), pieces of military munitions debris on the beach over the last two weeks,Ó according to the National Park Service (NPS). ÒDuring the 1940s, the U.S. Navy used this area of Assateague Island as a test range for rockets and bombs. In the 1950s a cleanup was done, and munitions debris was buried in pits on the island,Ó it added. Park officials say Òdue to the natural movement of the island and seas level rise, some of these pits are now offshore,Ó but Òit is likely that the large NorÕeaster in May disturbed the nearshore seafloor and uncovered one of these pits.Ó ÒThis has resulted in pieces of ordnance coming ashore,Ó the NPS said, adding that Òmost of these pieces are just metal fragments, but some may still contain residue of either explosives or propellant [sic] and thus must be considered dangerous.Ó The Ocean City Bomb Squad and Dover Air Force BaseÕs Explosive Ordnance Disposal team are now working to clean up the site.