Meteor Explodes Off Massachusetts Coast, Causes Loud Sonic Boom

An unexpected event occurred off the coast of Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon when a meteor exploded, resulting in a loud boom heard throughout the state. According to Eric Fisher, WBZ-TV’s chief meteorologist, the explosion was heard at approximately 2:11 p.m. Eastern Time. Residents described the noise as a sudden bang that rattled windows, startled pets, and even caused homes to shake.

The WBZ-TV newsroom received numerous phone calls reporting the loud explosion. Reports came from Boston and extended as far as Ipswich and Johnston in Rhode Island. Preliminary reports submitted to the American Meteor Society indicated that dozens of people across the Northeast saw the fireball around 2 p.m. on Saturday. These sightings spanned multiple states, assisting scientists in reconstructing the meteor’s atmospheric path.

Satellite lightning data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration revealed a signature consistent with a meteor at the same time as the reported boom. This data also suggested that the meteor entered the atmosphere over the South Shore near Boston. However, there are no reports of the meteor’s landing location.

Typically, meteors burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere, but larger ones can survive long enough to create vivid fireballs and loud shock waves that capture public attention. Maps from NOAA illustrate where the meteor entered the atmosphere.

Understanding Meteor Sonic Booms

For those who heard the boom on Saturday afternoon, it’s natural to question how a space rock can produce such a loud noise. Meteors penetrate Earth’s atmosphere at incredibly high speeds, often ranging from 25,000 to 160,000 miles per hour. Most meteors are no larger than pebbles or grains of sand, burning up harmlessly far overhead.

Occasionally, larger objects persist longer, diving deeper into the atmosphere. As they move through the air, they generate powerful shock waves reminiscent of a supersonic jet. These pressure waves can travel down to the surface as a sonic boom, heard miles away from the meteor’s actual trajectory. As a result, individuals may hear a loud bang even if they didn’t witness the fireball itself.

Notable Meteor Events in 2026

Saturday’s occurrence is part of a series of significant fireballs observed across North America this year. A noteworthy event in March involved a meteor exploding over Ohio, creating a sonic boom heard across multiple states. Shortly after, another fireball over Texas produced a strong shock wave that scattered meteorites throughout the Houston area. One fragment reportedly crashed through a home’s roof.

The American Meteor Society has observed an unusual increase in large fireball and sonic boom events during the early months of 2026. The Massachusetts boom follows a mysterious blast in South Carolina, initially mistaken for an earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey later attributed this event to a sonic boom, though the specific source remains under exploration.

Researchers emphasize that there is no indication of a threat to Earth’s safety from impacts.