To date, there is no scientific explanation for this phenomenon. While many theories exist, none have been definitely proven. Not even the name itself can be confirmed. The name is claimed to be Seneca attributed to both Seneca Lake in Upstate New York, where the sounds are heard often or from a Civil War battle in Seneca, Georgia where the sounds mimic the booms of the cannon fire.

In fact the term Seneca Guns, which is often used to describe these sounds comes from a James Fenimore Cooper story explaining the same phenomenon published in 1851, 50 years before man even learned to fly.

These loud booms are only heard in coastal areas, however, they are never heard at sea. The reverberations of the Seneca Guns have been loud enough to shake and rattle houses on land, but never enough to cause any damage.

The Seneca Gun rumbles can be heard at all times of the year, but they occur most often in Fall or when there is a cooling off in the weather.

[link to en.m.wikipedia.org (secure)]