Watch: Mysterious black smoke ring over Eastern Virginia puzzles residents

By Chris Williams
Published  August 21, 2024 4:41pm CDT
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Mysterious black smoke ring puzzles Eastern Virginia residents

A mysterious black smoke ring appeared in the skies over Williamsburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, August 13.

The Brief 

    • A mysterious black smoke ring appeared in the sky over Williamsburg, Virginia, on August 13, puzzling residents.
    • The sighting, captured on video and shared on TikTok, showed the large ring hovering for 10 minutes before disappearing.
    • Authorities reported no incidents, and meteorologists suggest the ring might be linked to pyrotechnics or industrial smoke, though the cause is still uncertain.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Residents in Eastern Virginia were puzzled after a black smoke ring mysteriously recently appeared and floated through the sky. 

Video of the sighting, shot by Crystal West and posted on TikTok, was captured on August 13 in Willamsburg. 

A local resident told a news outlet that the ring was "huge" and disappeared after 10 minutes. 

A black smoke ring mysteriously appeared over Virginia. (Credit: Crystal West via Storyful)

The James City County Fire Department said there were no reported incidents related to the smoke ring.

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Meteorologists believe the ring could be related to pyrotechnics or a plume of smoke from an industrial process or explosion, although the cause still remains unclear. 

The Source

  • This story was reported with information obtained from Storyful as well as accounts from Crystal West on TikTok and the James City County Fire Department. This story was reported from Los Angeles.