Taylor Swift has a highly enthusiastic fanbase. But could the Swifties actually cause earthquakes at her concerts? Here’s what science has to say about it.
Do Taylor Swift concerts really cause earthquakes?
Many believe that Taylor Swift’s concerts can really cause earthquakes after certain reports. But they are exaggerated, as per experts.
Back in July 2023, it was reported that fans attending The Eras Tour in Seattle at Lumen Field Stadium caused seismic activity. Reports suggested strong tremors were felt during “Shake it Off” and “Blank Space”, apparently causing the Earth to quake with a 2.3 magnitude.
In August, a similar event reportedly occurred at a Travis Scott concert in Rome. A researcher in geophysics Giovanni Diaferia posted on X that with 60,000 people (of approximately 70 kg each) jumping at the same time, a 1.3 magnitude Earthquake can be recorded by a seismic station 9 km away!
However, regarding the Swift quake, the Regional Shake Alert coordinator at the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, Mouse Reusch, told VICE that the 2.3 magnitude quake was overhyped.
She said, “The seismometer at Lumen Field is approximately 136 meters west of the center of the stadium. We had some other seismometers that were several hundred meters away that did not show the concert at all.” Continuing, Reusch added, “If there was a 2.3 magnitude earthquake, it would have been felt by many more seismometers.”
Erik Quintero, who lives directly opposite Lumen Field Stadium, stated distinct vibrations were felt during songs like “Shake it Off”. But, he also went on to say that the media coverage was “exaggerated” and only a few subtle tremors were felt.
He further told VICE just a “stronger than normal base vibration because of the music, singing, and jumping combo” was felt. So, we could conclude that concert-generated “quakes” aren’t as big as the news headlines usually make them to be. They can be felt, but they aren’t lethal.
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