Skyquake

A skyquake is a mysterious phenomenon where a loud sound seems to come from the sky. People often describe it as a banging noise or a sound like a horn. This sudden, loud noise can sometimes make buildings shake or cause walls and ceilings to vibrate.

Those who hear a skyquake usually don't know what caused it, which makes the experience feel strange and puzzling. Skyquakes have been reported in many places around the world. They are often heard near lakes or other bodies of water.

Reports of skyquakes have come from the North Sea, the Ganges, Canada, Colombia, Japan, Finland, Vanuatu, Australia, Italy, Ireland, India, The Netherlands, Norway, Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, Malaysia (particularly Ipoh), and Indonesia (particularly Jakarta and Java). These sounds continue to puzzle scientists and people who hear them.

Local names

Different places have unique names for the skyquake phenomenon. In Bangladesh, it is called Barisal guns, while in France, people refer to it as "bombes de mer" or "canons de mer". In Indonesia, it is known as dentuman or suara tembakan meriam, meaning "the sound of cannon fire". Italy has many names for it, including "brontidi" and "rombo". In Japan, it is called "uminari", which translates to "cries from the sea".

The phenomenon has been reported worldwide, from Australia to the United States. Early explorers like Meriwether Lewis and William Clark heard these mysterious sounds during their journey. Some cultures, like the Iroquois, believed these booms were the work of the Great Spirit. The names "mistpouffers" and "Seneca guns" come from Seneca Lake, New York, and describe the sound as similar to distant thunder or cannon fire.

Hypotheses

A skyquake is a mysterious loud noise that seems to come from the sky. Scientists aren't exactly sure what causes these sounds, but they have several ideas. Some believe that small meteors entering the atmosphere create loud booms. Others think it might be gas explosions from underground or under lakes, like when trapped air suddenly bursts out.

There are also theories about military planes making sonic booms, shallow earthquakes, or even weather phenomena like distant thunder. Some suggest that solar activity or waves crashing on rocky shores could also be responsible. Each of these possibilities tries to explain the puzzling sounds that sometimes shake the sky.