Home / Disasters and Accidents / Mysterious Boom Rocks South Carolina: What Was It?
Mysterious Boom Rocks South Carolina: What Was It?
28 May
Summary
- A loud, unexplained boom was heard across multiple South Carolina locations.
- Residents debated whether it was an earthquake, thunder, or an explosion.
- The National Weather Service confirmed hearing the boom but found no earthquake activity.
A significant and loud boom was heard across Columbia, South Carolina, on Thursday, sparking widespread confusion among residents. The sound was reportedly audible in areas stretching from Sumter, approximately 71.3 km (44.3 miles) away, to Camden, Blythwood, and Lexington.
Speculation quickly arose on social media, with some residents leaning towards an earthquake while others felt it was more akin to an explosion. However, the National Weather Service (NWS) Columbia office confirmed they also heard and felt the boom. They noted that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) earthquake map showed no activity, casting doubt on seismic origins.
Further investigation included sharing video footage of the boom, captured at Hamilton-Owens Downtown Airport in Columbia. This evidence led some to definitively rule out an earthquake, intensifying the search for the true cause of the mysterious sonic event.
