Terrifying ‘Skyquakes’ Stun Scientists In Their Hunt For Answers

A puzzle too loud to Ignore.

Jesse

• Published in News
• December 10, 2024

Imagine sitting at home, sipping your coffee, when suddenly a deafening boom echoes through the sky. You rush outside, heart pounding, only to find… nothing. No planes, no explosions, no clear source. Just an eerie silence that raises more questions than answers. 

Welcome to the strange phenomenon of "skyquakes,” unexplained booming sounds that have left scientists—and everyone else—completely baffled.

From the United States to Japan, these skyquakes have been reported for centuries. Witnesses usually describe them as “artillery-like” explosions that shake the ground and send chills up your spine. 

Is it a natural phenomenon? A secret government experiment? Aliens testing their bass speakers? No one knows for sure. What’s certain is that these mysterious booms have sparked curiosity, fear, and endless speculation among both residents and researchers.

Despite modern technology and centuries of reports, scientists haven’t cracked the code behind these noises. Could they be tied to seismic activity, atmospheric phenomena, or something entirely unknown?

Theories range from meteors entering the atmosphere to shifting tectonic plates, but none fully account for the phenomenon's erratic nature. Some even speculate about military testing or extraterrestrial activity, though no evidence supports these claims.

Let’s dive into the enigma that has puzzled experts for generations.

For those who don’t know what a ‘skyquake’ sounds like, turn up the volume and step into the mystery

Reports of skyquakes date back centuries. In 1811, residents of New Madrid, Missouri, heard booming sounds before a massive earthquake. 

James Fenimore Cooper also described similar noises in his 1850 story The Lake Gun. He described it as “deep, hollow, distant, and imposing,” like the lake itself was speaking to the surrounding hills.

In more recent years, skyquakes have been reported across the globe. From Spokane, Washington (2001) to North Carolina (2014) and Alabama (2017), these sounds have sparked confusion and alarm. Witnesses have described them as explosive, rattling windows, and seemingly coming from nowhere.

A storm brewing? Or the heavens speaking? These mysterious booms keep everyone guessing

Unfortunately, scientists don’t have a definitive answer. Some researchers have speculated that small, shallow earthquakes could be the culprit. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) suggested that minor seismic activity might produce rumbling or booming sounds, but that doesn’t explain every case.

Others believe the phenomenon is atmospheric. Eli Bird, a researcher at the University of North Carolina, proposed that the sounds are propagating through the air, not the ground. But without concrete data, even experts are left stumped. 

Even the experts are scratching their heads. Could this be nature’s greatest unsolved mystery?

In 2017, the National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama, faced public pressure to explain a particularly loud skyquake. Their response? “We don’t have an answer, and can only hypothesize with you.” Six years later, that sentiment still holds true.

For now, the mystery of skyquakes remains unsolved. Whether they’re the result of natural phenomena or something entirely unexpected, these booms remind us that Earth still holds secrets even science can’t yet explain. 

So, the next time you hear a thunderous bang from above, look up—and let your imagination run wild.

Jesse