North East shaken by 'sonic boom'

13/01/12

By Sarah Tawton

Residents in the North East have been reassured that a suspected 'earthquake' in the region was probably caused by a plane flying overhead.

Police were called following reports of buildings shaking and a loud rumbling being heard in Northumberland and Tyneside.

Geological experts were contacted by locals reporting "a low frequency rumble".

One caller described how their "whole house shook" and another said they heard "a very loud boom".

But the experts say the freak occurrence is likely to have been a "sonic" event.

A spokesman from the British Geological Survey said "a signal consistent with a possible sonic origin" had been recorded in the region.

He added: "The reports received are also consistent with historical observations received for previous events with a sonic origin."

There were no reports of any injuries or damage, police said.