In the hush of winter, when temperatures plummet and frost arrives, there’s a strange phenomenon that adds an unexpected twist to the season – frost quakes. You might have heard of them, but what exactly do frost quakes sound like? In this guide, we explore the unique sounds that accompany these cold-weather occurrences.
What Do Frost Quakes Sound Like?
These natural phenomena occur due to water stored deep within the crust freezing and expanding. It’s less common for frostquakes to create a shaking effect on the surface level, however, you can hear the booms for miles. A frost quake might even jar people awake when they occur during the nighttime.
Some frost quakes are so strong that it’s possible to record the vibrations using a seismometer. This device measures the movement of the ground during earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It is important to note that, frost quakes have nothing to do with tectonic plates.
What Causes a Frost Quake?
A frost quake, also known as an ice quake goes by the scientific term cryoseism. Cryoseisms occur when the surface temperature drops below freezing and underground water freezes and then expands. The earth’s crust and the frozen soil shift under the sudden expansion of the water as it freezes, causing small cracks in the ground.
Along with the freezing of the groundwater, a few other factors influence the occurrence and formation of frost quakes. Most Ice quakes occur between midnight and dawn due to it being the coldest part of the day.
Saturated Soils
Frost quakes require deep groundwater sources to create the phenomenon. Regions that experience high snowfall rates during the winter experience deep groundwater supplies from the meltwater seeping into the water table in the spring.
The severity of the cracking in the earth’s crust depends on how much water is present. Think of the occurrence as leaving a full water bottle in the freezer. As the water freezes, it expands and blows the top of the bottle. Doing this with a carbonated beverage may cause the container to explode, especially if the cap is secure.
Rapid Temperature Drops and Extreme Cold
For a frost quake to occur, the temperature must drop below freezing to ice over the groundwater stock. The groundwater must freeze quickly, typically within 24 to 48 hours, to create the phenomenon. As the water freezes, the pressure and force of the expansion crack the rock in the ground, leading to the booming or popping sound.
Minimal Snow on the Ground Surface
While meltwater seeping into the ground surface during the spring will fill the groundwater reserves for the following winter, too much snow cover prevents the occurrence of frost quakes. Snow can act as an insulator for the ground, preventing the deep groundwater stocks from freezing. If the snowfall is deeper than six inches, it’s enough to prevent a frost quake from occurring.
Where Will You Experience Frost Quakes in North America?
It’s common for frostquakes to occur in the coldest regions in North America. Canada, Alaska, and the northeastern United States provide ideal winter conditions for the phenomenon. Most reports of frost quakes occurring come from these regions.
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