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A powerful explosion rattled Boston on Saturday afternoon, sending shockwaves through the city and surrounding areas. The unusual event occurred around 2:30 p.m. ET, leaving residents startled and seeking answers.
Meteorologists suspect the cause may have been a meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere. Spaceflight meteorologist Nick Stewart noted on social media that satellite data revealed a large, bright flash east of Boston, consistent with a bolide or meteor reentry. He emphasized that the flash did not coincide with any thunderstorms, supporting the meteor theory as the likely source of the loud boom.
Local resident Stanley Fung captured the sound on video, describing it as similar to a sonic boom. Reports from the region, including Wellesley and parts of Rhode Island nearly 70 miles away, confirmed the noise was widely heard. Some viewers described the sensation as an explosion that even caused their homes to shake.
Authorities have yet to provide an official explanation or confirm any damage resulting from the blast. There are unverified reports of brief power outages in the Boston area, but no immediate information on their cause.
Sonic booms occur when objects travel through the air faster than the speed of sound, creating a sharp, explosive noise. A comparable sonic boom was reported recently in South Carolina, where officials ruled out earthquakes and suggested a high-speed aircraft or other fast-moving object as the source.
As Boston residents await further updates, the mysterious explosion remains under investigation, with the meteor hypothesis currently leading experts’ assessments.