Mystery Boom Rattles Parts of Virginia

A loud boom rattled Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore Tuesday night, but the source is a mystery.

Media outlets report that the mystery boom was reported in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Suffolk.  WAVY.com said that it received reports of shaking of homes from viewers across the area sometime between 7-7:30 p.m.

The U.S. Geological Survey's reports show no seismic activity at the time.

A spokeswoman at Oceana Naval Air Station said a sonic boom from the base wouldn't be heard as far away as Suffolk.

A NASA spokesman said there wasn't any rocket activity at the Wallops Island facility that could cause such a noise.

National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Rusnak said there wasn't any severe weather at the time.

So, for now, the boom continues to be a mystery, alongside a similar one in March 2009.

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WAVY.com said that in that case, people reported seeing a bright light in the sky along with the boom, suggesting it was a possible meteorite. The noise was so loud, it woke some people out of bed, WAVY.com reported.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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