Scientists Identify Methane Bubbles as Source of Mysterious Booms in Finger Lakes
For over 300 years, residents near New York's Seneca Lake have reported hearing mysterious booming sounds, known locally as 'Seneca guns.' Recent research led by Tim Morin from SUNY ESF has identified the cause as methane bubbles trapped in the lakebed. These bubbles build up pressure over time and erupt with a force that creates shockwaves, resembling cannon fire. The lake's vast volume, holding approximately 4.2 trillion gallons of water, amplifies these sounds, making them audible across the region. Historical theories dating back to the 19th century speculated about gas explosions, but it wasn't until modern sonar mapping and sediment sampling that the methane bubble theory was confirmed. 
