Loud Booms Heard In Jefferson Came From Picatinny Arsenal

JEFFERSON, NJ— The loud booms heard through the Jefferson area yesterday put some locals on edge, but the explanation was simple. Explosive tests from near-by Picatinny Arsenal were just louder than normal.

Explosive testing is not out of the ordinary for the arsenal, which is owned and run by the U.S. Army.

"Picatinny Arsenal often conducts outdoor explosive tests on munitions during daytime hours and during the week day," Frank Misurelli, a public affairs specialist with the Army, told Patch.

The reason they were particularly loud today? It was cold.

"Usually rising temperatures in the afternoon dampen the boom and vibration, however this did not occur today," he said.

The testing ended at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Booms were heard in Sparta, Jefferson, Denville, Rockaway and Kinnelon.

Photo: 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment