Mysterious Boom Disrupts Perth Residents

A loud boom that reverberated across Perth has left many residents puzzled as to its origin. The sound, described by witnesses as deep and powerful, was reported just before midday on Wednesday, affecting a 35-kilometer stretch from Fremantle to Waikiki.

People living in the southern suburbs of the city reported feelings of buildings shaking alongside the booming noise. According to GeoScience Australia, there were no recorded earthquakes in the area at the time of the incident.

The Western Australian Police confirmed that the noise was not related to any police activity. Additionally, St John Ambulance indicated that their paramedics were not called to any incidents that could explain the sudden loud sound.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) stated that no Australian military aircraft caused the boom. However, a spokesperson did mention ongoing flying operations from RAAF Base Pearce, which is located in Bullsbrook, due to the presence of Singaporean aircraft participating in an extended fighter detachment.

During the time of the noise, it was reported that Singaporean aircraft were operating approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast. Matt Woods from the Perth Observatory suggested that the cause of the noise could be a sonic boom, possibly created by either a fighter aircraft or a meteor.

Woods explained that a sonic boom occurs when an object breaks through the sound barrier. This can lead to a substantial bang, as the object moves faster than the speed of sound. He noted the specific speed required by a fighter aircraft to create such a boom under the day’s temperature and humidity conditions.

Despite the speculation, there were no reports of a bright flash in the sky, which is typically a sign of a meteor. Woods also mentioned that, due to cloudy conditions at the observatory, they were unable to observe any potential meteors at the time.

While no glass was reported shattered by the boom, many residents noted that windows rattled in their homes, indicating the sound’s intensity. Woods remarked on how supersonic aircraft can cause disturbances and highlighted the potential dangers of meteors exploding in the atmosphere, referencing a past incident where thousands were hospitalized due to a shock wave from a meteor explosion.