The booming sounds that rattled the Windsor, Ont., area on Tuesday were caused by U.S. fighter jets, like the one shown here, breaking the sound barrier to catch up with another plane, Chatham-Kent Police reported on Wednesday. (Mike Ulleryl/Associated Press)

The booming sounds that rattled the Windsor, Ont., area on Tuesday were caused by U.S. fighter jets breaking the sound barrier to catch up with another plane, Chatham-Kent Police reported on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Essex OPP had suggested the noisy vibrations felt at about 5 p.m. were caused by an earthquake that struck between Windsor and Chatham. But David McCormack of the Department of Natural Resources said the jolts were caused by a sonic boom. McCormack originally told CBC News that it was a military training exercise over Lake Erie.

Several concerned residents called Earthquakes Canada — a division of Natural Resources — shortly after the vibrations were felt. Residents also called CBC News, which fielded calls from Leamington, Essex, and Wheatley.

One woman said the noise sounded like dynamite igniting, while Steve Mills of Wheatley said his TV began to shake. Another Wheatley woman said the noise upset her dogs.

On Wednesday, a magnitude 3 quake shook Wheatley, followed by a 2.7 tremor early the next day.