Bright meteor crash causes sonic boom, sparks ‘small earthquake’ reports in Western Victoria

A suspected meteor lit up the night sky over western Victoria on Sunday (August 10), stunning residents and triggering a loud “sonic boom” that some mistook for an earthquake.

Reports poured in from towns between Ballarat and Bendigo shortly after nightfall, with witnesses describing a blazing orange fireball streaking overhead before fading from view. Moments later, a deafening bang reverberated across the region, strong enough to shake houses. No damage or injuries have been reported, but locals in Victoria’s west are still buzzing about the unforgettable flash in the winter sky.

While officials have yet to confirm the exact nature of the object, early accounts suggest the fiery spectacle was unrelated to the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks this week but is best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere.

Social media was quickly flooded with photos and videos of the rare event, capturing the split-second brilliance of the meteor as it tore through the atmosphere.

Astronomers say that such bright meteors, known as bolides, can produce sonic booms when shockwaves from their passage break the sound barrier, and in rare cases, pieces can survive the journey to Earth.