Cape May residents reported a loud boom and shaking on Monday, prompting inquiries due to the absence of recorded earthquakes in the area. U.S. Geological Survey confirmed no seismic activity on the East Coast. The sounds were potentially linked to military aircraft, specifically a T-38 Talon. Local police have not received reports from military bases about the incident.

On Monday afternoon, residents of the Cape May area experienced a loud boom accompanied by ground shaking, yet there were no recorded earthquakes along the East Coast. Social media activity surged around 3 p.m., with individuals querying others’ experiences related to the mysterious phenomenon. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed that no seismic activity had occurred on the East Coast in the preceding day.

Reports indicated that the unsettling sound and vibrations were detected in locations including Cape May, Cape May Courthouse, Villas, and Wildwood, with vibrations felt as far north as Lacey Township. Observers also noted hearing multiple distinct booms during the episode. The phenomenon may have been attributed to military aircraft activity, as a T-38 Talon was tracked flying just off the coasts of Maryland and Delaware around the same time the reports emerged.

Cape May Police Chief Dekon Fashaw acknowledged awareness of the boom, stating that jets routinely transit the area from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and other military bases, although no corresponding reports had been made to local authorities. Notably, the Naval Air Station Patuxent River had issued a noise warning for training operations scheduled between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on the same day.

The T-38 Talon, identified as a supersonic training aircraft, serves both the Navy and Air Force in the training of pilots, as indicated by the Air Force’s official resources. Inquiries regarding the incident from Navy and Air Force officials were not immediately addressed.

In conclusion, the loud boom experienced by Cape May residents on Monday was officially unlinked to any seismic activity, indicating possible military aircraft involvement. While observers heard and felt the disturbance in various locations, local officials have yet to clarify the origins of the sounds amidst scheduled training operations by the Navy. The incident highlights the intersection of civilian experience and military operations in the region.

Original Source: www.nj.com