Speculation continues as to the actual cause of the loud 'boom' heard across the Lake Tahoe region early Sunday morning. News, space, and meteorological organizations appear to be scrambling to explain the surprise occurrence that rattled windows and nerves across the Sierra and Western Nevada.

A few links (below) to related stories reveal the continued uncertainty about this unusual and apparently unexpected event.

'Big boom' likely was a meteor

Reno Gazzette-Journal - 11:04 PM, Sunday, April 22, 2012

"A sonic boom that rattled windows and nerves over hundreds of square miles on both sides of the Sierra Sunday morning was most likely caused by a meteor breaking up over the Sierra..."

Read the full story here.

Explosions over the Sierra today caused by meteor shower

Sacramento Bee - 10:25am, Sunday, April 22, 2012

"The sound of a powerful explosion punctuated the calm over a wide area of the Sierra Nevada in Northern California about 8:30 a.m. today, the apparent result of an ongoing meteor shower left by the annual Earth fly-by of Comet Thatcher..."

Read the full story here.

NorCal Sonic Boom Possible Meteor Impact

NBC Bay Area - 1:58PM, Sunday, April 22, 2012

"...Some people in the Tahoe area said they saw what they believed to be a meteor just prior to the sound. Others said they saw a fireball streak across the sky at the same time..."

Read the full story here.

"The Lyrid meteor shower amazed some skywatchers around the world with bright celestial fireworks this weekend, thanks in part to the lack of a bright moon. The annual April "shooting star" display hit its peak in the wee hours of Sunday (April 22)..."

Read the full story here.