Taylor Swift’s concerts in Seattle caused seismic activity equivalent to a 2.3 magnitude earthquake, according to a seismologist. The data was recorded during Swift’s sold-out Eras tour performances at Lumen Field on 22 and 23 July.
Seismologist Jackie Caplan-Auerbach explained that the activity was likely caused by the enthusiastic response of Swift’s fans or the impact of the sound system. The seismic activity during the concerts surpassed the previous record set in Seattle, known as the “Beast Quake” in 2011, when American football fans celebrated a touchdown during a Seahawks game.
Ms. Caplan-Auerbach, a geology professor at Western Washington University, noted that although the difference between the NFL game and Swift’s concerts was only 0.3, the shaking during the concerts was “twice as strong” and “absolutely doubled” the seismic impact of the NFL game.
The two nights of the Seattle concerts drew a total of 144,000 fans, creating an unforgettable experience for Swift and her devoted audience.
“I grabbed the data from both nights of the concert and quickly noticed they were clearly the same pattern of signals,” Ms. Caplan-Auerbach said. “If I overlay them on top of each other, they’re nearly identical,” she added.
After the concerts, Swift took to Instagram to express her gratitude. “Seattle that was genuinely one of my favourite weekends ever. Thank you for everything. All the cheering, screaming, jumping, dancing, singing at the top of your lungs,” the ‘Don’t Blame Me’ singer wrote.
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This phenomenon is not the first time that music concerts have caused seismic activity. In 2011, a Foo Fighters concert in New Zealand also registered as a seismic event due to the energy and excitement of the crowd. It showcases the powerful impact that music and live performances can have on audiences, creating shared moments of intense emotion and energy that reverberate not only in the hearts of the fans but also in the ground beneath their feet.
