Mystery ‘Quake’ Was More Likely Sonic Vibrations
- Share via
Many Orange County residents felt the earth shake Saturday morning, but seismology experts say there was no earthquake.
Sonic booms, caused when supersonic aircraft break the sound barrier, could have been responsible for the vibrations felt about 11 a.m., an official from the Caltech Seismology Laboratory said.
“It could possibly be a sonic boom, explosion, gunfire or it could be very wet ground shifting,” said the official.
Similar vibrations occurred along coastal Orange County last October and were believed to be connected to military operations. There was speculation that military aircraft were responsible for the jolts, and even that secret military spy planes could have been streaking overhead.
As for Saturday’s shake, officials from Navy, Marine and Air Force stations--including El Toro, Seal Beach, Long Beach and Point Mugu--reported there was no air or weapons activity at the time the vibrations were felt.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
