When the temperatures drop down to zero in Vermont and you’re all snuggled under the blankets at night, have you ever been awakened by a loud boom? These things that go bump in the night during the winter are probably not monsters under your bed. They might actually be a frost quake, the winter phenomenon that can cause explosive noises startling enough to wake you out of deep sleep. Read on to learn more…
A cryoseism, also known as a frost quake or ice quake, is a seismic event that happens when frozen water in soil or rock expands and cracks explosively. This winter phenomenon occurs in Vermont only when the conditions are right.
Flickr/Nicholas Erwin
For a frost quake to occur, the temperature must drop from just above freezing to near or below zero degrees Fahrenheit very quickly in a short period of time.
Flickr/Jay Parker
The ground must be saturated from either a thaw or liquid precipitation before the big temperature drop occurs and everything freezes.
Flickr/DavidPitkin
Also in most cases, the ground will only have minimal snow cover of fewer than six inches. Too much snow provides insulation for the ground and prevents frost quakes from occurring.
Flickr/Nicholas Erwin
When all of these things happen, the liquid trapped in the rocks and soil will quickly expand causing cracking. This movement can result in loud explosive noises that sound like thunder or trees falling.
Flickr/Gary Wilpizeski
Frost quakes usually occur at night when the temperatures are lowest. While it’s unnerving to be woken up suddenly by a loud bang, you aren’t likely to experience this activity during the day when the sun warms things up.
Flickr/Nicholas Erwin
This seismic activity only occurs for the first three to four hours after a big temperature drop when all the conditions are right. So if your sleep is disturbed by these booming frost quakes, be assured it’s only temporary.
Flickr/Paul Moody
Have you ever been woken up by a frost quake? Were you afraid or just confused? Share your experiences in the comments section below. One place where you’re guaranteed to find frosty temperatures in the winter is the coldest town in Vermont.
Flickr/Nicholas Erwin
Flickr/Jay Parker
Flickr/DavidPitkin
Flickr/Gary Wilpizeski
Flickr/Paul Moody
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