A minor seismic event caused by the sudden cracking of frozen soil or saturated rock, triggered when a rapid, sharp temperature drop causes water trapped underground or within soil pores to freeze and expand quickly, building stress that abruptly fractures the surrounding ground. Frost quakes are typically felt only very locally, producing a loud bang and sometimes a small crack in the ground, and occur most often during sudden hard freezes following heavy rain or thaw.
Facts
Partially Attested
First DescribedSource says only that geocryological processes were identified as a possible cause of tremors as early as 1818; this is an early attribution, not necessarily the first description. PeriodicityMost likely between midnight and dawn, 3 to 4 hours after a sharp temperature change 1 ScaleIntensity up to VI on the Modified Mercalli Scale, highly localized 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceTremors, vibrations, ground cracking and thundering or booming sounds 1 Sources
1. Cryoseism, Wikipedia
Causes and timing
Cryoseisms typically occur when temperatures rapidly decrease from above freezing to below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), and are more than likely to occur between midnight and dawn (during the coldest parts of night).
Intensity
Cryoseisms can have an intensity of up to VI on the Modified Mercalli Scale.
History
Geocryological processes were identified as a possible cause of tremors as early as 1818.
Symptoms
Initial indications may appear similar to those of an earthquake with tremors, vibrations, ground cracking and related noises, such as thundering or booming sounds.
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