After a sonic boom was heard across South Carolina’s Midlands, University of South Carolina and North Carolina State experts discussed what could have triggered it—while officials say the exact cause remains unclear.
Columbia residents across the Midlands reported a sonic boom on Thursday, and by Friday the questions were still hanging in the air.
The United States Geological Survey reported the sonic boom late Thursday evening, but what caused it is still unclear. WIS received reports not only from across Columbia. but also from surrounding counties—and even from areas outside the usual viewing area. including Darlington County and Chesterfield County.
On Friday, WIS spoke with experts to try to shed light on the phenomenon. Ashwini Karmarker. an assistant professor in the University of South Carolina’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. sat down for an interview that can be viewed above this story. Dr. Venkat Narayanaswamy. a professor in North Carolina State University’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. also offered his insight during a separate conversation with WIS anchor Judi Gatson on Friday.
Even with the interviews. the central problem remains the same: the reports are widespread. the timing is recorded. and the cause is not pinned down. The USGS noted the sonic boom late Thursday evening. but residents are left waiting for a clearer answer about what actually happened—one boom that traveled far enough to be felt well beyond Columbia’s borders.
WIS’s coverage includes both expert interviews, with viewers able to watch Karmarker’s full discussion above and Narayanaswamy’s full interview below.
sonic boom Columbia SC Midlands University of South Carolina North Carolina State University USGS Ashwini Karmarker Venkat Narayanaswamy