Did a meteor really crash near Midland, Texas, or is it all just a social media myth? The truth might surprise you. Early Sunday morning, social media lit up with claims of a meteor or asteroid striking near Midland and Ector County. Videos timestamped just after 2:38 a.m. captured a loud boom, and some posts even alleged that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed a baseball-sized meteor landing near Faudree Road. But here's where it gets controversial: neither NOAA nor NASA has reported any such event, and no government agency has confirmed a meteor or asteroid strike in the area. So, what really happened? Let’s break it down.
Posts claimed the impact caused a 3.2-magnitude earthquake, sparked small fires, and produced an explosion equivalent to 2.2 tons of TNT. And this is the part most people miss: the U.S. Geological Survey recorded no such seismic activity during that time. The most recent earthquake near Midland was a minor 1.4-magnitude event on Saturday, nowhere near the scale described. Additionally, official meteor and fireball logs, including the American Meteor Society’s database, show no fireball events in Midland or Ector County during the timeframe in question.
We reached out to local authorities, and the City of Midland confirmed that neither the police nor the fire department investigated any incident related to these claims. Some residents speculated the boom might have been caused by a transformer explosion or electrical failure, but Oncor Energy reported no equipment issues in the area at that time. Could it all be a case of mistaken identity or exaggerated storytelling?
For now, the source of the loud boom remains a mystery. While social media can spread information—and misinformation—at lightning speed, it’s crucial to rely on verified sources. We’ll keep digging for answers and share updates as more information becomes available. But here’s a thought-provoking question for you: In an age of viral misinformation, how can we better distinguish fact from fiction? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Stay tuned for more from NewsWest 9’s Sonji Milburn at 6 p.m.
