Meteor blamed for deafening ‘explosion’ that rattled US state

WorldSpace
18 Mar 2026 • 4:22 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • A loud boom heard across western Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio was likely caused by a meteor entering the atmosphere, experts say.
  • National Weather Service offices in Cleveland and Pittsburgh confirmed the meteor theory, citing satellite data and geostationary lightning mapping.
  • Forecasters explained the sound was similar to a sonic boom produced by an aircraft exceeding the speed of sound.
  • Residents reported their homes shaking and described the noise as a “loud and intense” explosion.
  • Police in Avon, Ohio, were inundated with calls and urged the public not to contact emergency services unless they had specific information.

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