On Saturday afternoon, a powerful explosion prompted concern across New England as residents reported hearing a double boom that shook buildings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The American Meteor Society clarified that a meteor, approximately 3 feet wide, was responsible for the commotion. It entered the atmosphere near the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border, north of Boston, around 2:30 p.m.

Robert Lunsford, a fire program monitor with the society, stated that the phenomenon led to dozens of reports from residents stretching from Delaware to Montreal. People either experienced the ground shaking, heard the distinctive double boom, or witnessed a bright fireball, described as resembling a shooting star in the daylight sky. “It was notably larger than a typical fireball,” Lunsford noted.

Despite the widespread reports, Lunsford mentioned that it is improbable the meteor impacted the ground. He explained, “To confirm if it struck ground, we need more details on its trajectory and speed. It’s common for meteors to disintegrate before ground impact, possibly landing in the ocean.” Most meteors burn up during their descent.

In several states, social media posts reported the sensation of buildings swaying. Videos on the X platform captured audible booms, yet showed no signs of smoke, fire, or other visible causes. Some individuals contacted the U.S. Geological Survey, noting the tremors with the National Earthquake Information Center. Agency spokesman Steve Sobie verified that, although numerous reports were collected, no earthquakes registered on the agency’s seismographs.