Locals massively report hearing a loud sound similar to an explosion on the coast and in other areas of Hampton Roads. People were scared as their houses shook and strange rumbling noises were heard. In the Hamptons and Pocuson, residents said their windows rattled and their houses shook.
Paul Carusol, a seismologist at the United State Geological Survey, said the agency noticed a surge on its seismometers around this time (May 24). Don Blakeman, another seismologist at the agency, said USGS analysts did not believe there was an earthquake.
“I don't see any earthquake strong enough for all these people to feel it,” he said.
A spokesman for the Virginia National Guard, which operates the Camp Pendleton state military base in Virginia Beach, said there was no action by the guardsmen that could cause loud noises or shaking houses.
Some York and Hampton County residents said they also experienced shaking during this time.
Mike Reeves, a spokesman for Langley Air Force Base, said there were no military aircraft in the Virginia Beach area Monday morning. Reeves said there was no explosive ordnance disposal exercise at Langley Base.
