What kind of damage do sonic booms cause?

victoriatangoman wrote:

>I have read on numerous occasions that flight paths for the shuttle
>have to be considerate of the double sonic booms it causes.
>
>My questions:
>
>What is a double sonic boom (other than two booms) and what causes
>the double feature rather than the single boom?
>
Most sonic booms are double booms. The double booms are created by the
front and rear of the vehicle.

>Also, what damage on the ground will a sonic boom cause? Other than
>a loud noise and window shaking. Will it damage building
>foundations? Will it shatter windows?
>
It can shatter windows, crack walls; foundations are unlikely but possible.

>Also, are all sonic booms the same or can they vary in intensity?
>SOme louder than others. Some more intense. Some longer lasting.
>Some covering a wider footprint.
>
Yes. Obviously the sonic booms amplitude is dependent on distance
(inverse square law).

Also the sonic boom is dependent on the size of the vehicle- Concorde
gives a much bigger boom than a military jet.

Also the shape of the vehicle, a sharp nose gives a much stronger boom
than a round nose.

There was an article about this in New Scientist.