THE ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IS EXPLAINING THAT LOUD BOOM HEARD ACROSS CENTRAL ILLINOIS TUESDAY. 

THE SOUND COULD BE HEARD ALL ACROSS A LARGE SWATH OF THE STATE, LEAVING MANY WONDERING IF IT WAS AN EARTHQUAKE OR EXPLOSION. NEITHER SAYS I-EMA SPOKESPERSON REBECCA CLARK. SHE SAYS UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE NOISE CAME FROM AN F-15 FIGHTER JET IN THE AIRSPACE ABOVE CENTRAL ILLINOIS THAT COURSE CORRECTED, CAUSING A SONIC BOOM.

THE BOOM OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 11-20 A-M.

CLARK SAYS WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BROKE THE SOUND BARRIER, THE PRESSURE WAVE CREATED THE NOISE. NO DAMAGE RELATED TO THE INCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORTED.