[meteorite-list] Mystery Explosion Heard in New Zealand

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3571820

Mystery bang heard in Hawkes Bay
The New Zealand Herald
June 11, 2004

Mystery surrounds a massive explosion that shook windows and 
woke people in several northern Hawkes Bay towns early yesterday.

Theories included a thunderclap, a meteor entering the atmosphere, 
and an exploding LPG bottle

Senior Sergeant Chris Flood of Wairoa police said the blast 
occurred about 3.40am and several people reported "hearing a loud 
explosion and seeing the whole sky light up".

He thought it might have been a meteor.

Constable John Bruce from Kotemaori, 45km southeast of Wairoa, 
said he thought the noise was an earthquake.

Carter Observatory astronomer Kay Leather said the explosion might 
have been the sonic boom of a meteor entering the atmosphere.

A meteor, which might be no larger than a fist, would cause a loud 
explosion and a light as bright as daylight.