IPB University Lecturer Explains Possible Causes Behind Mysterious Booming Sounds in Bojonegoro

Loud booming sounds heard in Bojonegoro and its surrounding areas have sparked various theories among local residents. The emergence of video footage showing flashes of light in the sky has further fueled speculation, ranging from a meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere to geological activity and atmospheric phenomena.

Dr Givo Alsepan, a lecturer at the Department of Geophysics and Meteorology, IPB University, explained that booming sounds of unknown origin cannot immediately be attributed to a particular phenomenon. According to him, a scientific investigation combining evidence from various disciplines, including atmospheric physics, geophysics, and astronomy, is necessary.

“The similarity of sounds does not prove that they have the same cause. To identify the source, we need to combine evidence from different scientific disciplines rather than relying solely on eyewitness accounts or recordings circulating on social media,” he explained.

Dr Givo outlined several possibilities that require further investigation. One is a meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere at high speed. The interaction between a space object and the atmosphere can generate intense heating and, under certain conditions, shock waves that produce booming sounds audible at Earth’s surface.

However, he added that flashes of light occurring around the same time as the booming sounds are not sufficient to confirm that the event was caused by a meteor. “Visual recordings need to be verified, including the time of the incident, the location where the footage was captured, and the trajectory of the visible object,” he said.

Another possibility, according to Dr Givo, involves atmospheric phenomena, such as lightning activity and changes in atmospheric temperature structure that affect sound propagation. Under certain conditions, temperature inversions can bend sound waves, making distant sounds more clearly audible in particular areas.

In addition, tectonic or geological activity should also be examined based on relevant evidence. The release of energy caused by rock movement can generate seismic waves. Nevertheless, loud booming sounds do not necessarily indicate that an earthquake has occurred.

According to news reports published on October 19–20, 2026, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Nganjuk reportedly detected no seismic activity around Mount Pandan that could be directly linked to the incident.

“This information may weaken the hypothesis of a tectonic earthquake, but it does not prove that the cause was a meteor or an atmospheric phenomenon,” he added.

Dr Givo emphasized the importance of examining camera recordings from multiple locations, seismograph data, lightning activity records, and weather conditions at the time of the incident. Eyewitness accounts should also include details such as the time and location, the direction from which the sound originated, and the interval between the flash of light and the booming sound.

“Until the cause has been verified, the most scientifically appropriate explanation is that the source of the booming sound remains undetermined. Conclusions must be based on the strength of the available evidence,” he stressed.

He urged the public not to rush into spreading speculation as fact. Residents who have recordings of the incident are advised to preserve the original files and report them to the relevant authorities.

“If you come across an unfamiliar object or an area suspected of being affected, keep your distance and do not touch anything of unknown origin,” Dr Givo added. (AS) (IAAS/CAA)