Meteor Causes Double Boom in New England, Shakes Buildings

On Saturday afternoon, residents across New England reported an explosive sound, prompting local police and agencies to investigate the cause. The incident involved a double boom that affected buildings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The American Meteor Society identified the cause as a meteor approximately 3 feet wide entering Earth’s atmosphere near the border of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, just north of Boston, around 2:30 p.m.

Robert Lunsford, a fire program monitor, noted that the organization received numerous reports from Delaware to Montreal. Observers experienced the booms, ground shaking, and a visible fireball, resembling a shooting star in daylight. “It was definitely bigger than a normal fireball, about a yard wide,” Lunsford explained.

Despite the noise and shaking, Lunsford stated that it is improbable the meteor struck the ground. “Further details about the trajectory, speed, and other elements are necessary to confirm a ground impact. If it did not disintegrate, it likely landed in the ocean,” he added. Typically, meteors burn up before reaching the surface.

Across several states, individuals shared experiences on social media, mentioning the shaking of buildings. Videos on the X platform captured sounds similar to two rapid booms, without any accompanying fire or smoke.

Several reports were filed with the U.S. Geological Survey by people registering the tremors with the National Earthquake Information Center. Agency spokesman Steve Sobie confirmed the agency opened an event page based on “Did you feel it?” submissions on its website. However, Sobie clarified that there was no seismic event registered on their instruments, indicating the shaking was not due to an earthquake.