This work presents the theoretical foundations and experimental results of the generation and propagation of impulsively-generated waves resulting from underwater explosions. Many of the theories and concepts presented are applicable to other types of water waves, in particular tsunamis and waves generated by the fall of a meteorite. Linear and nonlinear theories, as well as experimental calibrations, are presented for cases of deep and shallow water explosions. Propagation of transient waves on dissipative, nonuniform bathymetries together with laboratory simulations are analyzed and...