Cold can split the ground. What to know about frost quakes in Michigan

In the event you hear a shock “growth” this weekend, this could possibly be a frost earthquakea climate phenomenon that happens when temperatures drop and groundwater freezes rapidly.

“As a result of water expands when it freezes, it could push dust and rocks aside. If this enlargement occurs , for instance a rock below stress offers method and breaks, it could result in a sound and earthquake-like sensation,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty stated in an AccuWeather interview. report.

Freezequakes — formally referred to as cyroseisms — are sometimes confused with earthquakes as a result of the early indicators look comparable, Douty stated, however they don’t have anything to do with tectonic plates.

Temperatures in Michigan will dip under zero by way of Sunday, January 25 and will contribute to the prevalence of this phenomenon.

“Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills arrive tonight (Jan. 22) and final a minimum of by way of Saturday (Jan. 24). That is most likely the coldest air of the season to date,” the Gaylord Nationwide Climate Service stated on X on January 22.

Most of Michigan is below winter climate and chilly climate advisories for wind chills as little as minus 45. Temperature studies early Friday morning in northern Michigan included air temperatures as little as 30 under zero.

The place do frostquakes happen?

Frostquakes are recognized to happen steadily in Alaska, Canada, the northeastern United States and Iceland. according to AccuWeather.

Why do frostquakes happen?

In response to Science News investigates, “Frostquakes occur when water from rainfall, melting snow, or flooding penetrates the bottom and fills all accessible areas. The bottom turns into saturated, like a sponge crammed with water. And when a chilly entrance with Arctic air drops temperatures exterior nicely under freezing (5 levels Fahrenheit) – the water within the floor begins to freeze.”

As a result of the molecules in frozen water line up crystal construction, ice takes up more room than water, inflicting it to press towards the bottom.

“The stress ultimately turns into so nice that the frozen floor cracks, permitting one half to slip previous the opposite. This sliding is just like what occurs throughout an earthquake. However earthquakes begin deep underground and frostquakes occur near the floor,” in response to Science Information Explores.

Is a frostquake the identical as an icequake?

No, they seem in several media. Icequakes happen in glaciers or lake ice.

Jalen Williams is a trending reporter on the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.