UPDATE: Reports of an explosion heard across the Boston area were likely caused by a large bolide (meteor) entering the atmosphere. A significant flash was detected by the GOES-19 satellite and does not appear to be associated with thunderstorm activity.
Several Boston residents reported hearing a massive explosion on Saturday. While authorities are yet to issue a statement on what exactly happened, several social media users speculated if there was an earthquake in Massachusetts.
“Reports of a “large explosion” felt across several townships in the Boston area as well as Rhode Island. Buildings were felt shaking, but USGS has not registered an earthquake. Police are unsure what just happened. No confirmed visible fire or smoke yet,” one local wrote on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
Read More: Earthquake in Rhode Island? Explosion, ‘sonic boom’ reports spark panic
“Just felt one of these north of Boston. Huge boom. at 2:11 PM. Bizarre,” another person added.
“Reports of an explosion hears around Boston I believe are going to be a rather significant bolide/meteor entering the atmosphere. Very large “flash” detected by GOES-19 GLM that does not correlate with active thunderstorms. #MAwx,” a third one tweeted.
Earthquake in Union County
Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey reported two earthquakes in Union County, South Carolina, Friday evening. It is 240 miles from Boston. So, the two events are not linked. The USGS said a 1.8-magnitude earthquake hit around 6:05 PM local time Friday.
Another quake was recorded at around 6:22 PM.
Similar booms heard elsewhere
On Saturday, a similar explosion-like sound and a possible sonic boom was heard in Rhode Island too. Several locals reported about the sound on social media. However, just like Boston, there is no confirmed activity.
On Thursday, residents across central South Carolina were left startled after a powerful boom rattled homes and buildings across the Midlands region. The unexplained sound was reported around 5:30 PM, with witnesses saying they heard and felt the impact from multiple locations stretching across the state. Reports came in from areas including Columbia, Lexington, Sumter, Camden, Blythewood, North Augusta and Darlington County, suggesting the event was felt over a remarkably large area.
Many residents took to social media shortly after the incident, trying to determine whether the noise was caused by an earthquake, an explosion or some other unusual event.
One person wrote on X: “Earthquake? Or thunder? Im leaning earthquake. But it honestly felt more like an explosion here near Lexington, SC.”
Others reported that the force of the boom shook homes and startled pets.
“Massive bang just heard throughout the Midlands region of South Carolina. Houses shook downtown and a shock wave hit Irmo, S.C. at approximately 5:24 p.m. EDT,” one social media account posted.
Another resident shared footage from a home security camera and wrote: “Loud boom heard through out the Midlands of South Carolina! You can hear the loud boom on my Nest camera! Crazy! Typically you can’t hear this kind of stuff. Insane this wasn’t an earthquake.”
On Facebook, eyewitnesses described similar experiences.
“Yep…standing in downtown heard a crazy loud explosion. My wife heard and felt it out near the airport,” one person commented.
Another added: “Heard and felt it in West Columbia behind Lexmed. Felt like something hit the building.”
A third resident wrote: “Yes, heard it. Shook my house and upset my three dogs; barking like crazy!”
