Environmental Impact of Sonic Booms

Sonic booms occur when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound, creating shockwaves that produce loud, thunder-like noises. These booms can disturb people and animals, causing stress or hearing issues, especially if the sound is frequent or loud. They may also disturb wildlife and damage fragile structures or windows. Although technological advances aim to reduce these impacts, sonic booms remain a concern for environmental comfort and safety near flight paths. Managing and mitigating sonic booms is important to balance the benefits of high-speed travel with the preservation of communities and ecosystems.