Skyquake Explosions Heard Widespread; NASA Breaks Silence

A fireball meteor exploded in the skies over New England, USA, producing a massive explosion heard across several US states and two Canadian provinces. The explosion, which occurred on Saturday afternoon local time (30/05/2026), has been confirmed by NASA. The meteor was reported to have released energy equivalent to approximately 230 tonnes of TNT.

In its statement, NASA explained that the meteor was relatively small, measuring only about 1.6 metres. NASA estimates it had a mass of 5.6 metric tonnes before finally breaking apart. The object travelled at a speed of 67,000 kilometres per hour as it frictionally entered the atmosphere. The meteor only fragmented at an altitude of approximately 50 km above Earth, with debris raining down over the Cape Cod region, as cited by Live Science on Wednesday (03/06/2026).

The Guardian reported that there were no reports of injuries or property damage related to this phenomenon. However, the sound was heard by numerous witnesses across several northeastern US states. The sound of the explosion and the resulting building vibrations occurred when the meteor exploded at approximately 14:06 EDT.

NASA explained that its small size meant the explosion did not cause serious damage to the surrounding areas. NASA also noted that small meteors are difficult to track, as they struggle to survive the intense heat and high pressure encountered when falling through Earth’s atmosphere.

A different impact would likely occur if a meteor with a diameter exceeding 140 metres were to fall. Such meteors, referred to as ‘city killers’, could survive the atmospheric passage and would have a massive impact if they struck populated areas. NASA also finds larger meteors much easier to track.

The meteor that exploded late last month is one of several fireballs observed on Earth in recent months. This follows a green fireball seen in the skies behind Mayon Volcano in the Philippines on 25 May, as well as a cannonball-sized meteor fragment that pierced a house roof in Texas on 21 March 2026. A few days prior to that, an object measuring 1.8 metres was reported to have exploded in the skies over Ohio.