Earlier today, NBC5 Chicago broke a story that the glass on the Willis Tower Skydeck Ledge shattered. A family from California was visiting the popular tourist site on the 103rd floor of the skyscraper, when they say they heard cracking beneath them. 

Needless to say, the story’s become an internet sensation, so WBEZ’s Lauren Chooljian has been trying to track down exactly what happened.

She sums up the situation in nine tweets:

Ok guys: Here’s the scoop about the Willis Tower. Stay with me, this will be a multi-part tweet series.

— Lauren Chooljian (@laurenchooljian) May 29, 2014

(1) @nbcchicago got an exclusive (and frightening) tip from a Cali. family that heard cracking underneath them while standing on The Ledge

— Lauren Chooljian (@laurenchooljian) May 29, 2014

(2) Needless to say, concerns spread around the city/internet that the actual GLASS on the103rd floor Ledge attraction was cracked #Chicago

— Lauren Chooljian (@laurenchooljian) May 29, 2014

(3) Willis tower reps I talked to say hold up: That’s not the glass, that’s a protective coating that keeps the glass from getting scratched

— Lauren Chooljian (@laurenchooljian) May 29, 2014

(4) The thought is you don’t want to obstruct that insane view. (Because who wants to stand on a Ledge that you can’t even see out of?)

— Lauren Chooljian (@laurenchooljian) May 29, 2014

(5) The coating does crack occasionally, according to Willis reps. Right now they’re replacing it - so the Ledge will be closed for a bit.

— Lauren Chooljian (@laurenchooljian) May 29, 2014

(6) So as far as I know, the Skydeck is still open for business, and the Ledge should be reopened soon. I’ll have more on ATC…

— Lauren Chooljian (@laurenchooljian) May 29, 2014

(7) And I believe @nbcchicago (the team who originally broke the story that essentially broke the internet) will lead with it at noon

— Lauren Chooljian (@laurenchooljian) May 29, 2014

(8) The end! (Is anyone even reading? I know @robertloerzel‘s got my back at least) Tune into ATC for more details http://t.co/korGeSL6rp

— Lauren Chooljian (@laurenchooljian) May 29, 2014

The full Willis Tower statement can be found below.

05/29/14 11:17 AM : The Ledge was designed with a protective coating that completely covers all glass surfaces to protect against scratches. This coating does not affect the structural integrity of The Ledge in any way. Occasionally, the coating will crack, as it is designed to in order to protect the surface of the glass.

UPDATE: Skydeck Chicago is open today while the protective coating is being replaced. We have temporarily closed the four Ledge boxes for routine inspection we hope to reopen them shortly.

Lauren Chooljian is a WBEZ reporter. Follow her @laurenchooljian