What causes the mysterious booming sounds during extreme cold?

Mysterious booming sounds and vibrations, known as frost quakes or cryoseisms, are caused by water rapidly freezing within the soil, leading to expansion and cracking.

How many people were affected by the recent winter storm?

A recent massive winter storm caused at least 30 deaths and left tens of thousands without power, affecting nearly 180 million people with snow, sleet, and freezing rain.

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Frost Quakes Rumble: Listen to the Ground Crack!

Q: Are frost quakes dangerous?

While frost quakes can be startling, meteorologists confirm they are generally harmless and pose less risk than the extreme cold temperatures and wind chills associated with them.

28 Jan

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Summary

Sudden freezing of water in soil causes expanding cracks.
Meteorologists confirm unusual booming sounds are cryoseisms.
Events are rare but generally harmless, posing less risk than cold.

Frost Quakes Rumble: Listen to the Ground Crack!

Residents in areas experiencing extreme cold may be startled by mysterious booming sounds and vibrations, a phenomenon meteorologists attribute to 'frost quakes' or 'cryoseisms.' These unusual noises occur when water rapidly freezes within the soil, causing it to expand and crack.

The process begins when rain or melted snow saturates the ground. As temperatures plummet quickly below freezing, this water solidifies and expands, building immense pressure on the surrounding earth. This pressure eventually causes the soil to fracture, resulting in loud booming sounds and slight tremors.

Meteorologists confirm reports of these 'loud booms' during bitter cold periods. They explain that while startling, particularly at night, these events are generally harmless and pose less risk than the extreme cold itself.