Sonic booms heard

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 19, 9 October 1984, Page 1

Sonic booms heard

A sonic boom was heard (and felt!) over a wide area of the Waimarino last Thursday morning as military aircraft participating in Exercise Triad thundered over the region and penetrated the sound barrier. The sonic boom was felt as a short, sharp jolt which shook buildings in Ohakune, Raetihi, Rangataua and National Park at 11.1 7am. The effect felt indoors was very similar to an earth tremor or a large machine striking the building. Some people even wondered if the Mt Ruapehu — which was shrouded in cloud at the time — had 'blown its top!' No reports of damage have been received from Ohakune but in Raetihi one shop in Seddon Street had its plate-glass window (worth between $800-$ 1 000) broken while two others suffered lesser damage ... a painting fell off the wall slightly damaging the frame and a flourescent light cover fell from the ceiling in the other. Earlier in the day a sonic boom was heard from the direction of Waiouru where Exercise Triad is being held. Since then there have been more sonic booms heard in the Waimarino. Last Friday morning, soon after 8am, as the planes manoeuvred in the clear blue sky above Ohakune and the mountain, one loud boom was hedrd followed five seconds later by two more.