Meteor Causes Double Boom in New England

On Saturday afternoon, residents across New England experienced an unexpected event that sent police and local agencies in search of answers. Around 2:30 p.m., a double boom echoed through Massachusetts and Rhode Island, shaking buildings and leaving many puzzled about its cause.

The American Meteor Society identified the culprit as a meteor entering the atmosphere near the New Hampshire and Massachusetts border, north of Boston. This meteor, roughly 3 feet wide, triggered the booms heard by people in multiple states, from Delaware to Montreal.

Robert Lunsford, a fire program monitor, reported that dozens witnessed the event. People either felt their surroundings shake or saw a fireball, akin to a shooting star during daylight. Lunsford noted, “It was definitely bigger than a normal fireball, about a yard wide.”

Despite the noise and tremors, Lunsford suggested it’s unlikely the meteor hit the ground. He explained, “We would need more details, such as the trajectory and speed, to confirm ground impact. However, if it survived the entry, it probably landed in the ocean.” Most meteors burn up in the atmosphere before reaching Earth.

Social media users across several states described the sensation of buildings shaking. Numerous videos uploaded on the X platform recorded the characteristic two quick booms, devoid of visible fire or smoke. People also reported their experiences to the U.S. Geological Survey. Agency spokesman Steve Sobie confirmed the opening of an event page due to the volume of “Did you feel it?” reports on their website.

However, Sobie indicated no seismic activity was detected. The absence of seismic data supported the conclusion that the tremors felt were not from an earthquake.