By: Iris Xu
Taylor Swift’s energetic performance at a downtown Seattle concert last weekend resulted in quivering grounds that left her fans astounded. According to seismologists, the ground shook so intensely that nearby seismometers recorded vibrations equivalent to a magnitude 2.3 earthquake.
The concert, attended by approximately 70,000 people, generated what they humorously called the “Swift Quake.” Seismologist Mouse Reusch from the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network explained that the ground acceleration reached approximately 0.011 meters per second squared, which is used to measure ground vibrations, before being converted to the Richter scale, the standard measurement for earthquakes.
The “Swift Quake” drew comparisons to the pro football “Beast Quake” of 2011, caused by the enthusiastic roars of Seattle Seahawks fans celebrating a last-minute touchdown. The magnitude of the seismic activity caused by Taylor Swift’s concert was close to that of a magnitude 2.0 earthquake during the game.
The readings were captured by a seismic station just outside Lumen Field, where the concerts took place on both July 22 and 23. The ground shaking was more than twice as intense as during the 2011 Seahawks game, with a double difference on the logarithmic Richter scale.
The likely cause of the seismic activity was a combination of the concert’s powerful sound system and the synchronized dancing of Taylor Swift’s devoted fans, known as Swifties.
“That was surprising to me, that we’re able to see something so coherent,” Reusch said. “One was offset by about 26 minutes because it was late.”
The pop megastar’s ongoing Eras Tour has been a massive success, attracting huge crowds eager to hear her perform songs from her extensive 10-album career. The two Seattle concerts exhibited similar patterns on the seismometer, suggesting that the sets were nearly identical.
While the specific songs responsible for the seismic peaks were not immediately clear, the concert’s setlist included popular hits like “Love Story,” “Bad Blood,” and “Anti-Hero,” in addition to the famous “Shake It Off.”
Seismometers can detect vibrations from various sources, including vehicles, trains, and even wind, so significant ground rumbles are not unique to the music world. In fact, previous concerts, like The Weeknd’s performance at Lumen Field, also left a seismic mark, albeit not as strong.
The event garnered considerable public attention and enthusiasm from fans and seismologists alike. Mouse Reusch expressed hope that the “Swift Quake” might inspire some young Swifties to pursue careers in seismology or earth sciences—a real happy ending to the extraordinary concert experience.