meteor boston: What caused the massive boom heard across Boston? Here’s what happened

Residents in Eastern Massachusetts were left stunned after multiple calls were made to local police and fire departments after a powerful explosion echoed through the area Saturday afternoon. The sound was reported in communities around Boston and extended as far as Ipswich in Massachusetts and Johnston in Rhode Island. Meteorologists pointed to a possible cause further up the coastline as authorities searched for answers, CBS News, NBC Boston and The Mirror reported.

According to WBZ-TV Chief Meteorologist Eric Fisher, a meteor exploded off the coast of Massachusetts around 2:11 p.m. The incident quickly gained attention after dozens of area residents contacted the WBZ-TV newsroom to report hearing what sounded like a powerful explosion, CBS News reported.

What caused the mysterious explosion?

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Satellite data showed the meteor entered the atmosphere over the South Shore near Boston. At the same time, reports of noise continued to come in from communities across the state.
NBC10 meteorologist Pamela Gardner said it could be an asteroid or meteor entering the atmosphere.
“Satellite illumination detected around Boston but no lightning! No earthquakes on USGS either,” Gardner said, according to NBC Boston.

Big bang/explosion around Boston
GOES 19’s GLM shows the possible meteor or bolide entering the atmosphere. There is no lightning in this current storm, nor is there an earthquake from the USGS. pic.twitter.com/Wamm66BIRg

— Pamela Gardner NBC10 Boston (@Pamelanbcboston) May 30, 2026

How far away was the sound heard?

The explosion was not limited to a single area. Residents around Boston, as well as people in Ipswich and Johnston, Rhode Island, reported hearing the sound in the afternoon.

Police and fire departments across Massachusetts said they have received numerous calls from concerned residents seeking answers.

“Heard from the eastern part of the state. Source unknown, no reports of distress at this time,” Watertown police said on Facebook, according to CBS News.

Meanwhile, Coventry, Rhode Island police posted: “Boom: No reports of any damage or local incidents yet. Possible earthquake.”

Why can meteors create sonic booms?

The American Meteorological Society announced that meteors travel through the atmosphere at extremely high speeds. Larger space rocks that can survive in the atmosphere for longer periods of time can generate pressure waves strong enough to produce sonic booms, CBS News, NBC Boston and The Mirror report.

“Friction with Earth’s air causes them to begin to evaporate, leaving a bright streak in our sky. Meteors can move through the air at speeds of 25,000 to 160,000 miles per hour (11 to 72 kilometers per second),” they said on their website. “They can penetrate deep enough into the atmosphere to produce pressure waves and therefore sonic booms.”

The loud boom remained one of the biggest topics of discussion of the day in Massachusetts, although as of Saturday authorities had not reported any danger or damage associated with the incident.

FAQ

What caused the loud explosion heard in Massachusetts?
Meteorologists believe this was caused by a meteor or asteroid entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

Is there any damage reported?
Officials said there were no reports of damage or danger.