What Was Massive Boom Heard off Oregon Coast Tuesday Afternoon?

The coasts of Oregon, WA, and CA are being watched by scientists these days, due to what's called the Cascadia Subfault.

WHAT WAS THE MASSIVE BOOM HEARD UP AND DOWN THE OREGON COAST TUESDAY AFTERNOON?

The Cascadia Subfault is a massive series of cracks in the ocean floor, anywhere from 80 to 100 miles off the coastline, ranging for a couple of hundred miles. It last caused a tsunami over 200 years ago, but scientists say activity picking up. Could happen in 20- 50 or more years.   An 'event' in this area could create a loud sound. The subfault makes the San Andreas Fault in CA look like a paper cut.

However, the massive boom heard by Newport, OR residents Tuesday afternoon was not that. As reported by the Newport Police Department, it was a sonic boom.

   OREGON NATIONAL GUARD APOLOGIZES TO COASTAL RESIDENTS

The 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard issued an apology which was picked up by the Newport PD.  They were conducting training exercises out over the ocean, and one of their pilots briefly went super-sonic, or busting the speed of sound.

   IT WASN'T FOR LONG BUT CREATED A LOT OF NOISE

The jet was moving pretty fast, and a loud boom like that over the ocean is going to be heard for dozens of miles. Sources say the pilot was "haulin' the mail" when he popped the barrier.

Apparently, it scared enough coastal residents that both the PD and Air National Guard issued public apologies through social media, to calm people's nerves. The reason an earthquake offshore is scary to these folks is it would create (likely) some sort of tsunami that could be dangerous.

So, the Oregon coast is safe...for now.  Now, back to watching the subfault.