A loud explosion-like sound reported across parts of the northeastern United States, including Boston and Rhode Island, has been confirmed as a meteor explosion.
Residents described a powerful boom that appeared to shake buildings and prompt confusion, with many initially suspecting an earthquake or industrial explosion.
The United States Geological Survey did not record any earthquake in the region at the time of the incident, and authorities found no evidence of fire, explosion, or any ground-based event that could explain the sound.
The key development confirming the likely cause came from satellite data, with the GOES-19 detecting a strong atmospheric flash coinciding with the timing of the boom.
Such events can produce a bright flash followed by a sonic boom that travels across large distances, matching both the timing and nature of reports from residents.
Based on available evidence, the loud boom is most likely caused by a meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere, with GOES-19 satellite data providing strong supporting confirmation.
