Britons panicked by 'window shaking' big bang caused by sonic boom
AN ‘EXPLOSION’ heard by Britons this afternoon is believed to actually been a sonic boom.
Reports of 'big boom' in Britain put down to sonic boom cause by jets
Social media was buzzing with reports of a loud noise heard in Oxfordshire, this afternoon.
The loud cracking noise was heard in Witney, Northampton and Milton Keynes it has been reported.
It was later confirmed the noise was a sonic boom.
An RAF spokesperson said two jets were released after a private plane was spotted in airspace and did not respond to signals.
He said: “Quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft were launched today from RAF Coningsby to identify an unresponsive civilian aircraft.
"Communications were re-established and the aircraft has been safely escorted to Cardiff airport.”
@glenharfield Huge explosion felt in Northampton, Oxford and Milton Keynes.
— Noble Savage (@Noble_SavageUK) April 8, 2016
A RAF-type mate has just informed me the tremor was more likely two Typhoons going supersonic over Northampton on live shout.
— Oli Rushby (@Oli_Rushby) April 8, 2016
Some reported their windows being shaken by the boom.
at least I know I'm not going mad I thought my house had exploded My window nearly shattered it rumbled that much #Northampton @ChronandEcho
— chloé k p (@chlx___) April 8, 2016
A sonic boom is caused when a plane is travelling faster than the speed of sound
Heard the boom from Northampton on the other side of Towcester! Anyone know what it was?
— Ian Kingston (@iankingston_ian) April 8, 2016
Sonic boom a term for the noise created by the 'shock wave' from an air-plane that is traveling at speeds greater than that of sound.
It usually causes a loud bang and tremors can be felt on the ground.
The fire service have confirmed that the sound was caused by two jets flying in the area.