Abstract: With the rapid development of detection technologies and underwater weapons, the survivability of underwater vehicles is facing severe threats. Studying the structural dynamic response under underwater shock environments and explosive loading has become a crucial aspect of enhancing the shock resistance of underwater vehicle structures. 【Objectives】 In order to clarify the influence of water depth on the detonation process, shock wave loading, bubble pulse loading, and structural damage response under explosive loading in deep-water explosions. 【Methods】By systematically reviewing domestic and international literature on deep-water explosion research, the physical phenomena of deep-water explosions are summarized, the effects on shock loading are outlined, the damage responses of typical underwater structures subjected to deep-water explosion loads are discussed, and differences between deep-water and shallow-water explosions are compared. 【Results】The shock environment in deep-water explosions differs from that in shallow-water ones, with bubble loading being non-negligible. As water depth increases, the peak bubble pulse pressure, bubble jet load velocity, and bubble energy increase; whereas the bubble pulsation period, maximum bubble radius, bubble volume, specific bubble energy, and bubble pulse specific impulse decrease. For shock wave loads, the peak pressure remains almost unchanged with increasing depth, while the specific impulse and energy of the shock wave decrease. 【Conclusions】Under deep-water conditions, the coupling effect between dynamic and static loads becomes more significant. With increasing water depth, the plastic strain of typical structures overall increases, the region experiencing plastic strain expands, the stiffness and strength of typical structures decrease, and the failure modes and damage mechanisms of typical structures undergo changes.