Seismic Activity Recorded on July 22-23 at Seattle’s Lumen Field During Taylor Swift’s Record-Breaking Concert
Taylor Swift’s fans, known as “Swifties,” are making waves quite literally. Seismologist Jackie Caplan-Auerbach reported that during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour dates at Seattle’s Lumen Field on July 22 and 23, the enthusiastic dancing and excitement from the record-breaking attendance caused seismic activity equivalent to a 2.3 magnitude earthquake. This phenomenon has been dubbed “Swift Quakes.”
Caplan-Auerbach, a geology professor at Western Washington University, noticed the unusual occurrences while moderating a Pacific Northwest earthquake group on Facebook. She analyzed the data from both concert nights and observed that the seismic signals followed an almost identical pattern.
The powerful energy and enthusiasm of Taylor Swift’s dedicated fanbase created an interesting and surprising connection between music, joy, and seismic activity during these memorable concerts.
Seismologist Jackie Caplan-Auerbach highlighted a comparison between the recent “Swift Quakes” caused by Taylor Swift’s fans and the 2011 “Beast Quake” triggered by Seattle Seahawk fans. During the NFC Wild Card game in 2011, Seahawks fans erupted with excitement over Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch’s remarkable touchdown, generating seismic activity dubbed “Beast Quake.”
Caplan-Auerbach pointed out that the Swifties’ seismic activity surpassed the intensity of the “Beast Quake” by a significant margin, with the shaking being twice as strong. The key difference lies in the duration of the shaking. While cheering during a touchdown lasts for a few seconds and then subsides, the energy generated by a concert, especially with Taylor Swift’s 10-hour performance, is more consistent and rhythm-driven. The music, speakers, and beat all contribute to the ground-shaking effect.
PEOPLE attempted to reach out to Jackie Caplan-Auerbach for further comments but had not received an immediate response at the time of reporting.
Apart from Taylor Swift’s fans, the singer has garnered an ardent admirer in Travis Kelce, the 2023 Super Bowl MVP and tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce, aged 33, recently revealed on his podcast, “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce,” co-hosted by his brother Jason, that he attempted to meet Swift during one of her tour stops. However, his efforts were in vain as Swift reportedly maintains tight security and doesn’t engage in conversations before or after her shows, aiming to preserve her voice for the 44 songs she performs during each concert.
Despite the disappointment of not meeting the pop star, Travis Kelce’s admiration for Taylor Swift remains apparent, and he recognizes the dedication she puts into her performances, making it clear why she has such a devoted fan base.
Travis Kelce expressed feeling a bit disappointed, even “butthurt,” that his plan to present a personalized bracelet to Taylor Swift didn’t come to fruition. He had hoped to gift her a friendship bracelet with his number on it, following the tradition of exchanging such bracelets at Taylor Swift concerts. Despite receiving several bracelets from other fans during the show, he was eager to give Swift one of his own creations as a token of admiration. Unfortunately, due to the strict backstage arrangements to preserve her voice for her performances, Kelce wasn’t able to carry out his thoughtful gesture. Nonetheless, his enthusiasm and appreciation for Taylor Swift and her concerts remain unwavering.
