What Is A Frost-Quake? Wait It's Real?

Johnstown, PA (WJAC) — You, like those of us here at the station, might have heard some unexplained noises outside. Then, when you might have gone out to look, you found nothing to explain the booms and vibrations. Well, it’s a winter phenomenon called frost quakes which are happening all over the region.

When asked, some residents knew what a frost quake was, while others laughed and thought it was a joke. While they do sound made up, the quakes can be explained by science. Chief meteorologist Tony Martin says the frost quakes don’t normally happen in our area. Cold temperatures and an excess of moisture in the ground is causing the bangs and booms we are hearing.

“As that water is just sitting in the ground it froze like that,” said Martin, “It did not have time to freeze slowly which is what typically happens. So when it freezes very fast what happens is water expands when it turns into ice and that is moving the ground and that is why we had the vibrations.”

6 News also spoke with the U.S. Geological Survey because when you hear the word quake you think earthquake. But it’s totally different and their instruments rarely even pick up the activity.

“It is not tectonic plates,” said Martin. “There is no actual earthquake going on. It is the first 12 inches or so of the ground that is moving. Because, when that cold air gets in it does not go down feet and feet and feet. It’s the top again 12 to 18 inches that is freezing up very fast and has nowhere to go so it is going to shake and rumble some buildings and homes.

But Martin said that while it might make you jump frost quakes aren't dangerous.

“Nothing to worry about as far as any structural integrity issues," he said. "It is the ground moving slightly. It is nowhere near as strong as an earthquake."

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