![]() For more information about unexplained sounds that may not be related to cryoseisms, visit this link. Alternatives such as these remain prevalent in various media appearing online, due to continued reports of unexplained noises that linger beyond the cold weather months in various locations. It has been suggested that at least a fair majority of “mystery booms” reported in cold weather months are the likely result of cryoseisms, though in some cases, other explanations have included sounds produced by aircraft, military weapons tests, and even recreational use of fireworks. These similar, but very distinct phenomena were first revealed through the detection of low-frequency seismic signals, appearing mostly during summer months, which geophysicists traced to the movement of glaciers in Greenland. Sudden movements or shifts in glacial formations are linked to another variety of cryoseism, which have been called “ice quakes”. Previous scientific data has already suggested that reports concerning a related phenomenon (see below) may be increasing along with rising temperatures around the world. (6) However, the record cold temperatures associated with the winters since 2013 have led to significant interest in the subject, leading some to speculate that a correlation may exist between reports of loud “booms”, frost quakes, and climate change. (5) Some sources suggest that among the variety of causes for tremors, geocryological causes were suspected by as early as 1818. Numerous media outlets featured the stories as well, which helped spur interest in the potential causes of the phenomena.ĭespite the new attention this phenomenon has recieved, cryoseisms have been recognized as a geological phenomenon for many years, and significant data about their occurrences and underlying causes has existed for a number of decades. Often described as loud booms similar to the sound of an explosion nearby, reports of these “mystery booms” were frequently shared and discussed through social media sites. (4) These recent temperature drops coincided with an increase in reports of loud noises of unexplained origin, as well as what some believed to be small earthquakes, which were being reported across the country. ![]() (3) The following year, more record cold temperatures began to occur in November of 2014, as a result of early-season arctic air and snow. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) reported that the winter of 2013-2014 ranked among the coldest on record, particularly in parts of the American midwest. Small cracks may be visible on the surface near where a cryoseism has occurred, and in some cases, shaking vibrations may also be felt within the vicinity of the frost quake, along with loud booms that sound similar to gunfire. The Vermont Geological Survey defines a cryoseism as, “ major frost cracking of the top few feet of the ground, occurring during sub-zero cold snaps, which generates localized ground shaking and is often mistaken for an earthquake.” (1) Expansion that results during the process of freezing can lead to the buildup of explosive stress, which may result in fractures within the earth. “Frost quakes,” also known as cryoseisms, are a natural phenomenon that occurs when extremely cold temperatures lead to sudden deep freezing of the ground, after it has been saturated with water. Characterized by sudden, loud rumbling or “booms” accompanied by ground shaking, it often leaves those who have experienced it confused, or even badly frightened. In Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, Lyzette Austen was sitting on her couch catching up on Twitter on the second floor of a two-flat when she "heard the house settle and then all of a sudden the sofa was swaying back and forth almost like being in a gently rocking boat." It ended in about five seconds, she said, and she went online to find that it was a quake.As temperatures begin dropping with the approach of the cold weather months, in many parts of the world a rare, natural phenomenon may begin to occur. He went online and saw news reports of the quake. ![]() After ruling out the possibility that she and the kids were hopping down the stairs, he thought it might have been a truck passing the house. As the ice subsided, the earth rebounded, Caruso said, and "is still rebounding from having all that weight on it."īaer, a stay-at-home dad, was in bed and had said goodbye to his wife seconds before the quake hit. Ten thousand years ago, the region was covered with very deep glacial ice, which placed an enormous amount of weight on the rock. All the continents are shifting around."Īnother explanation may be isostatic rebound, Caruso said. Another on April 17, 1990, was measured at a 3.0 magnitude. A USGS historical review showed only two other quakes have occurred within 100 kilometers of Thursday's epicenter, Caruso said.
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