Loud boom heard in Boston likely exploding meteor above ocean

The unsettling boom, rumble and shaking heard and felt across Greater Boston Saturday afternoon may have come from a meteor.

First reports of the sound came at 2:11 p.m. Saturday, according to 1 Degree Outside meteorologist Danielle Noyes. The U.S. Geological Survey did not detect an earthquake at the time, according to Noyes.

There was, however, a flash detected on weather radar in a place where there was no thunder activity. That's consistent with what's called a bolide — a meteor that explodes in the atmosphere — said Noyes.

Confirming the exploding space rock isn't easy, however. An official at the National Weather Service said it was up to NASA to confirm whether the sound came from a meteor. While the radar signature hints at a meteor, it may require finding pieces of the debris for final confirmation, said Noyes.

Residents from communities in northern New England to southern Rhode Island reported experiencing the sudden ruckus on Saturday.