How did Taylor Swift fans trigger an earthquake?
A seismologist found that Taylor Swift fans at a concert in Seattle, Washington, USA, caused a small earthquake. During Swift's 'Eras' tour event, her fans, called Swifties, danced a lot and created seismic activity similar to a 2.3 magnitude earthquake.
Other experts say it is not only dancing but a combination of the loud sound system and the cheering and stamping of fans that likely caused the activity. The seismologist, Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, studied data from when fans entered the venue until they left and observed how much the earth shook.
The data revealed that the “Swift Quake” (yes, that’s what fans are calling it) is comparable to another such incident that occurred years ago.
Which similar incident is it being compared to?
The 'Swift Quake' has been compared to the 2011 'Beast Quake,' which happened after a great score by Seattle Seahawks player Marshawn 'Beast Mode' Lynch. That celebration was also recorded on a local seismometer, as was the Taylor Swift concert. But the shaking at the Taylor Swift concert was twice as strong as the “Beast Quake.”
Are such occurrences normal?
In an interview, another seismologist, James Hammond, said these vibrations are very common when people party. It sends energy into the ground, which travels through the Earth as sound waves. Seismometers can measure these waves.
He also mentioned that a 2.3-magnitude earthquake is quite small and won't cause any damage. Similar vibrations happen at music festivals and sports events, and it's very normal.
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