What caused the massive boom heard across Boston? Here's what happened

Residents across eastern Massachusetts were left puzzled on Saturday afternoon after a powerful boom echoed across the region, prompting a flood of calls to local police and fire departments. The sound was reported in communities around Boston and stretched as far as Ipswich in Massachusetts and Johnston, Rhode Island. As authorities searched for answers, meteorologists pointed to a likely cause high above the coastline, as per reports from CBS News, NBC Boston and The Mirror.

According to WBZ-TV Chief Meteorologist Eric Fisher, a meteor exploded off the Massachusetts coast at approximately 2:11 p.m. The event quickly drew attention after dozens of residents contacted the WBZ-TV newsroom to report hearing what sounded like a powerful explosion, as per a report by CBS News.

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What caused the mysterious boom?

Satellite data showed the meteor entering the atmosphere over the South Shore near Boston. At the same time, reports of the noise continued to pour in from communities across the state.

NBC10 meteorologist Pamela Gardner said it could have been a bolide or meteor entering the atmosphere.

“There’s a satellite lighting detection around Boston -but no lightning! No earthquakes on USGS either,” Gardner said, as per NBC Boston.

How far was the sound heard?

The boom was not limited to one area. Residents around Boston, as well as people in Ipswich and Johnston, Rhode Island, reported hearing the sound during the afternoon.

Police and fire departments across Massachusetts said they received numerous calls from concerned residents seeking answers.

“It was heard over the eastern part of the state. Unknown origin no reports of hazards at this time,” Watertown police said on Facebook, as per CBS News.

Meanwhile, Coventry, Rhode Island, police posted: “The Boom: No reports of any damage or local incident as of yet. Earth Quake maybe.”

Why can meteors create sonic booms?

The American Meteorological Society explained that meteors travel through the atmosphere at extremely high speeds. Larger space rocks that survive longer in the atmosphere can generate pressure waves strong enough to produce sonic booms, as per reports from CBS News, NBC Boston and The Mirror.

"Friction with Earth's air causes them to begin vaporizing, leaving a bright streak across our sky. Meteors can zip through the air at 25,000 to 160,000 miles per hour (11 to 72 km per second)," they said on their website. "They can penetrate deeply enough into the atmosphere to produce pressure wavesand, thus, sonic booms."

As of Saturday, authorities reported no hazards or damage linked to the event, even as the loud boom remained one of the day's biggest talking points across Massachusetts.

FAQs

What caused the loud boom heard across Massachusetts?
Meteorologists believe it was caused by a meteor, or bolide, entering Earth's atmosphere.

Was there any reported damage?
Authorities said there were no immediate reports of damage or hazards.