9/13/2023 0 Comments Ice quake indianapolis(3) The following year, more record cold temperatures began to occur in November of 2014, as a result of early-season arctic air and snow. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) reported that the winter of 2013-2014 ranked among the coldest on record, particularly in parts of the American midwest. Small cracks may be visible on the surface near where a cryoseism has occurred, and in some cases, shaking vibrations may also be felt within the vicinity of the frost quake, along with loud booms that sound similar to gunfire. The Vermont Geological Survey defines a cryoseism as, “ major frost cracking of the top few feet of the ground, occurring during sub-zero cold snaps, which generates localized ground shaking and is often mistaken for an earthquake.” (1) Expansion that results during the process of freezing can lead to the buildup of explosive stress, which may result in fractures within the earth. “Frost quakes,” also known as cryoseisms, are a natural phenomenon that occurs when extremely cold temperatures lead to sudden deep freezing of the ground, after it has been saturated with water. Characterized by sudden, loud rumbling or “booms” accompanied by ground shaking, it often leaves those who have experienced it confused, or even badly frightened. "It's just an odd scenario because it has not been cold enough long enough to get the frozen depth needed to get frost quakes."Īs a result, Call said any frost quakes are occurring close to the surface of the ground.As temperatures begin dropping with the approach of the cold weather months, in many parts of the world a rare, natural phenomenon may begin to occur. "If people are feeling frost quakes, I'm not telling them that's not what they are experiencing," Breon said. "It cracks the concrete."īut he said the gopher explanation is probably "a stretch." "If you have voids where ice could build up, it's the same concept as having cracks in concrete that fill up with water that freezes and expands," he said. We only have frozen soil down to about two inches."Ī possibility other than frost quakes is how close those experiencing loud household noises/mini-earthquake phenomena live to a retention pond where the ice cracked, he said.īreon cited another possibility: a household with gopher holes near the foundation. "I'm not saying it's impossible, but I would be kind of surprised if we're having frost quakes because our soil temperatures are not that low. "It typically happens in a deep freeze," he said. "Then we had this pretty strong fast freeze," he said, referring to temperatures dropping into single digits over the MLK holiday weekend.įrost quakes are common in Alaska and North Daktoa, but not in Indiana, said Earl Breon, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Indianapolis who is more skeptical of the claims that it's happened here in the last 48 hours. Because the ground never really froze, rainfall and melting snow after the significant storm of Jan. Up until recently, Muncie has experienced a pretty mild winter, Call said. ![]() "She's more sensitive to it and made me carry that."Ĭall compared frost quakes to the familiar phenomenon of potholes: water seeps into cracks in the pavement, freezes and expands. Sorensen himself has earthquake insurance (about $100 a year), but not because he's an insurance agent and doesn't like to take risks. "Some offer either a rider or a separate standalone policy." "Ground movement is typically excluded by insurance policies," Sorensen said. He had received no damage claims when he arrived at work.įrost quake damage normally is not covered by a homeowners policy. "I had never heard of frost quakes," he said. "It's more of a noise phenomenon, like a balloon popping, than a physical danger," Call said in an interview Monday.Īllstate Insurance agent Justin Sorensen first heard about frost quakes on the news Monday morning. Think of a bottle of liquid in a freezer expanding and exploding, he said. There have been online reports of such occurrences in Yorktown, too.įrost quakes, which are rare in the Muncie area, occur when water gets into cracks in the ground and then freezes, expands and shatters, said Dave Call, a meteorologist at Ball State University. ![]() ![]() Neighborhoods reportedly affected include Storer, Halteman Village and Royerton. People who searched their houses for an explanation found no answers. Reports of mysterious household bangs and booms in the night are being discussed on social media sites in Muncie. The loud bangs might not be causing any damage to homes, but if they are it's probably not covered by your homeowners insurance, unfortunately. MUNCIE, Ind. - Residents awakened by nocturnal disturbances the past two nights likely are experiencing a seismic phenomenon known as frost quakes or ice quakes.
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