CNN

Soccer fans’ reaction registered on earthquake measuring devices

Nov 11, 2019, 12:35 PM
Sounders fans jumped so much that their celebrations were detected on seismographs. (CNN)...
Sounders fans jumped so much that their celebrations were detected on seismographs. (CNN)
(CNN)

(CNN) — The Seattle Sounders FC scored three goals in their win over Toronto FC in the MLS Cup championship and fans were so excited, their celebrations registered on earthquake-sensing equipment.

Scientists with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) set up seismograph stations ahead of Sunday’s game to see whether fans’ enthusiasm was actually ground-shaking.

One station was set up just outside CenturyLink Field and the other was set up at ground level in the stadium, right under the main Sounders fan section.

Sports fans are known to get pretty loud during games, but the seismologists weren’t interested in the noise, according to Steve Malone, a professor emeritus with PNSN.

“Fans simply yelling will be of no interest to us; however their jumping up and down should generate vibrations in the stadium and even be transmitted through the ground to sites at some distance,” Malone wrote in a blog post about the experiment. “The SounderFC fans are particularly well known for their synchronized rhythmic jumping together, which should generate very strong seismic signals.”

The fans lived up to their reputation and the celebrations of all three goals turned up on the seismographs.

The PNSN said the experiment, which it called the “SoundersFC Soccer Shake,” was primarily designed as an opportunity for its staff to practice rapid instrument installation and urban seismology and to test equipment.

This isn’t the first time Seattle fans were responsible for seismic activity.

Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch triggered what’s known locally as the “Beast Quake” with a 2011 touchdown run for the Seahawks. The fans stomping their feet was detected at a PNSN station about a block away from the stadium

It happened again in 2013 during a “Monday Night Football” match and the celebration registered in the magnitude 1-to-2 range, according to the PNSN.

Seattle isn’t the only epicenter of sports-related “artificial earthquakes.”

Last year, the Institute for Geological and Atmospherical Investigations tweeted that it detected seismic activity in Mexico City after Mexico scored in its World Cup upset over Germany.

It wasn’t big enough to be measured in magnitudes and wouldn’t have been noticeable to the general population, according to the institute, which is not a government agency.

One of the most unusual events happened in Cameroon in 2006 when seismic activity was detected all over the country, Malone wrote. Scientists had recently installed sensitive research seismographs.

“In this case it was attributed to people all over the country watching the match on TV who jumped up and down all at the same time,” Malone wrote. “Thus, while widely recorded, it was from sources near each station.”

The Sounders have scheduled a victory parade that will run through downtown Seattle on Tuesday, so fans will get another chance to shake things up.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

CNN

The Hollywood sign is seen as it is repainted in preparation for its 100th anniversary in 2023, in ...
Oliver Darcy, CNN

Hollywood braces for potential strike as writers begin high-stakes talks with studios

  (CNN) — Hollywood is holding its breath. The Writers Guild of America commenced high-stakes negotiations with studios on Monday over a contract set to expire on May 1 — which could lead to the first strike in nearly 15 years, a prospect that would cause massive disruption to television and film projects across the industry. […]
1 day ago
The US Capitol Police force "is not currently tracking any direct or credible threats to the US Cap...
Priscilla Alvarez, Devan Cole, Alex Marquardt and Holmes Lybrand, CNN

Capitol Police see no current threat to US Capitol, but DC prepares after Trump calls for potential indictment protests

 (CNN) — The US Capitol Police force “is not currently tracking any direct or credible threats to the US Capitol” ahead of a possible indictment of former President Donald Trump, according to a department intelligence assessment obtained by CNN. But officials in Washington are preparing for demonstrations that could erupt, a district official told CNN on Monday. […]
1 day ago
Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Hilton ...
Analysis by Stephen Collinson, CNN

Why a Trump indictment would have huge political and national implications

  (CNN) — America’s political and legal institutions are bracing for their next extreme test posed by former President Donald Trump. Trump’s prediction on Saturday that he could be arrested this week — and his attempt to ignite a preemptive backlash — made what had been the theoretical prospect of an ex-president and 2024 candidate being criminally charged […]
2 days ago
Jason Sudeikis attends the Apple Original Series "Ted Lasso" Season 3 Red Carpet Premiere at Westwo...
Arlette Saenz, CNN

Jason Sudeikis and ‘Ted Lasso’ cast will meet with Biden for mental health discussion

A White House official said the meeting will focus on discussing "the importance of addressing your mental health to promote overall wellbeing."
2 days ago
Bruce Willis and Emma Heming (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)...
Alli Rosenbloom, CNN

Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming marks his birthday with moving message about grief

Originally Published: 19 MAR 23 15:46 ET Updated: 19 MAR 23 19:04 ET     (CNN) — As Bruce Willis turned 68 on Sunday, his wife Emma Heming marked the day with a candid message about caring for someone living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Related: Bruce Willis is diagnosed with aphasia. A USU expert explains what that […]
2 days ago
A damaged car and rubble from a house affected by the earthquake are pictured in Cuenca, Ecuador. M...
Maija Ehlinger, Marlon Sorto, Abel Alvarado and Heather Chen, CNN

At least 13 dead after magnitude 6.8 earthquake shakes Ecuador

At least 13 people died after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck southern Ecuador on Saturday afternoon.
3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...
BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.
Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a new winter activity? Try skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.
Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...
Intermountain Health

Five common causes of Cervical Cancer – and what you can do to lower your risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.
Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.
happy friends with sparklers at christmas dinner...
Macey's

15 easy Christmas dinner ideas

We’ve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy.
Spicy Homemade Loaded Taters Tots...
Macey's

5 Game Day Snacks for the Whole Family (with recipes!)

Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. 
Soccer fans’ reaction registered on earthquake measuring devices