Taylor Swift's seismic impact has been one-upped. Metallica fans generated minor seismic activity during their recent Seattle concert. The event registered as a 2.3 magnitude quake.
The amplified music of the hard rock band at the Washington venue caused the ground to shake. The Virginia Tech Hokies football team also triggers similar seismic events.
According to a seismologist in Virginia, the concert moved the earth. The 60,000 fans created a noticeable tremor that was recorded by a seismograph.
The Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory (VTSO) studies the energy transferred to the earth. The shaking was amplified by the band's performance of 'Enter Sandman'.
VTSO's Martin Chapman told FOX Weather that the seismograph, located about a mile away, clearly captured the event. He stated that the signal was distinct from typical background noise.
"I would say, if they played it again, we would feel it again," Chapman said. "The magnitude is probably closer to 1.0." He added that many small quakes go unnoticed.
Seismic events are common. However, large gatherings, like Metallica and Taylor Swift concerts, can generate detectable tremors.