Constance Leverton was making dinner in her Maple Bay home on Vancouver Island Sunday night (Dec. 12) at approximately 5 p.m., when she heard a big boom.
ѻýIt was loud with all the windows closed,ѻý she said.
Reports quickly started hitting social media from people between Victoria and Campbell River who either heard a boom or saw a bright light. Alberni Valley News reporter Elena Rardon was driving back to Port Alberni from Beaver Creek when she saw a bright, yellowish light, moving fast in the direction of Mt. Arrowsmith.
ѻýI assumed it was a firework, but it was travelling down instead of up,ѻý she said. ѻýIt was very bright and moved fast.ѻý
A site called Volcano Discovery reported an ѻýunconfirmed quake or seismic-like eventѻý16 km northwest of Victoriaѻý at 5:05 p.m. Weather enthusiasts and others surmised it was a meteor, and that it was seen in the vicinity of Port Alberni.
Paul (@Paul76966495) tweeted ѻýVery large meteorite about 5 p.m. spotted from Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Had very large fire tail. Impact unknown distance or location very large percussion.ѻý
John Cassidy, an earthquake seismologist with Natural Resources Canada and University of Victoria professor said there was ѻýnothing obviousѻý on seismographs on the south Island, and doubted it was an earthquake.
ѻýAn exploding meteor (bolide) makes the most sense, seen and heard over a large areaѻýbut no significant group shaking,ѻý he said.
ѻýItѻýs a mystery so far.ѻý
susie.quinn@albernivalleynews.com
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