A loud boom on Monday, followed by windows rattling and homes and businesses shaking, was due to a sonic boom related to military jets in a testing track off the coast.
Many residents and visitors reported the incident shortly after noon on Monday and
initially there were concerns it was the result of some seismic activity in the area. By mid-afternoon, the town of Ocean City issued a report stating, "we have received several calls regarding a loud noise in the Ocean City area. The reported noise appears to be a sonic boom. We will continue to monitor reports and update citizens if our initial information changes."
By late Monday afternoon, officials reported the boom and associated side effects were caused by sonic boom associated with military jet training in the area. Naval Air Station Patuxent River (PAX) officials confirmed they had received a call reporting a sonic boom in the Lewes, Del. area around 12:40 p.m. on Monday.
"We investigated the disturbance and concluded it was a PAX aircraft, compliant with FAA regulations and U.S. Navy requirements," the PAX statement reads. "Supersonic flights are routinely conducted in the Test Track off the Atlantic coast. The test track is a designated location controlled by the Department of Defense and used by multiple DoD agencies for military training. Sonic booms occur when a jet aircraft exceeds the speed of sound."
Comment: Another mysterious boom in Ocean City, Maryland reportedly caused by sonic boom