On May 28, 2023, at around 5:24 PM local time, residents across South Carolina reported hearing a loud boom that caused their houses to shake. Areas affected included Lexington, Columbia, and the Midlands. Many initially suspected an earthquake; however, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) stated there was no seismic activity in the region. Videos shared online captured the sound, with some residents describing it as sounding like it originated nearby. Social media was flooded with comments from locals expressing their shock and confusion, with theories ranging from an explosion to a meteor entry or even a sonic boom from a jet. Reports of the noise extended from North Augusta to Darlington County, indicating a widespread phenomenon. As of now, no official explanation has been provided for the mysterious boom, leaving residents to continue speculating about its cause.