Here is a recently done experiment in Carrara. You will note that the mp4 version of my original .mov is acceptable on this forum.

Most, if not all, of what you outlined can be done in Carrara without outside app sourcing.

HOWEVER----In this instance, I made use of the free version of Particle Illusion bringing the sky explosion into a billboard, the ground explosions--I think!--spread around using the Surface Replicator and the Mouse--also a Particle Illusion thing, I got to follow the terrain using the Free Sparrowhawke plugin.

PM me with your email if having problems with the idea

Brian

bwtr