Meteor Boom Reported Across New England
A meteor entering the atmosphere near the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border caused a notable boom felt by residents across several states on Saturday, according to the American Meteor Society.
Residents across New England reported hearing a loud explosion and feeling buildings shake Saturday afternoon, which was attributed to a meteor approximately 3 feet wide entering the atmosphere near the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border. The American Meteor Society confirmed the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. and received numerous reports from as far south as Delaware to as far north as Montreal.
Robert Lunsford, a fire program monitor with the society, noted that the visible phenomenon resembled a daytime shooting star, stating, "It was definitely bigger than a normal fireball, about a yard wide." However, he suggested that it is unlikely the meteor struck land, adding that most meteors typically burn up before reaching the ground. If it did not disintegrate entirely, it likely landed in the ocean.
Reports of the incident included multiple social media posts describing the ground shaking and the sounds of two distinct booms. Several individuals also informed the U.S. Geological Survey of the shaking they experienced. Despite these reports, agency spokesman Steve Sobie confirmed that there was no seismic activity recorded, indicating the shaking was not earthquake-related.