India, June 1 -- A meteor travelling at nearly 75,000 mph triggered a loud sonic boom after exploding over the northeastern United States on Saturday, causing ground shaking that was felt across parts of Massachusetts, according to media reports.

The incident was confirmed by NASA, which said the meteor, also known as a "fireball," was detected at approximately 2:06 p.m.

"The meteor appears to have fragmented at an altitude of about 40 miles over northeast Massachusetts and southeast New Hampshire. The energy released at breakup is estimated to be equivalent to roughly 300 tons of TNT, which accounts for the loud noise," NASA said in a statement quoted by ABC News.

A NASA spokesperson told the broadcaster that the fireball was not asso...