Yes, 'Frost Quakes' Are A Real Thing In Pennsylvania

As an arctic mass of bitter cold air descends on the region, we have a lot to look forward to: whipping winds, frozen pipes, and generally painful outdoor experiences.

Oh and now there's one more thing, apparently: "frost quakes."

Frost quakes are a real thing, and they've been reported in Pennsylvania as well as across the midwest, which is bracing for some of the coldest temperatures in decades.

A frost quake, is a seismic event potentially caused by a sudden cracking in soil or rock that's frozen due to being saturated with ice or water. According to Indiana-based television network WLFI, frost quakes are not known to cause injuries or damage and are commonly heard at night when it's quieter.

There have been several instances of frost quakes reported in Pennsylvania, most recently in Dillsburg, York County. Residents there told CBS21 they've recently felt the ground shake underneath their homes.

Resident Michelle Tebbetts told the network this week she heard a bang so loud it sounded like a "big piece of furniture fell over." Tebbetts said she reported the incident to York College Professor and Geologist Jeri Jones, who confirmed it was a frost quake.

Frost quakes are caused during times of extreme cold. As water drains into the ground, the liquid freezes and expands, putting "stress" on everything around it. At a certain point, the ice breaks or cracks creating these "booms," according to WLFI.

And, oh, is extreme cold is coming our way. Thursday's high will be 17 with wind chill values as low as -12, according to the National Weather Service.

While you shouldn't worry much about injuries or damages, the "boom" could be loud enough to wake you up, warns Mechanical Business.

What if an ice quake occurs around water service lines or utility lines buried deep in your yard? Do not try to repair on your own, and instead call your local utility company immediately if this happens and you find yourself without water, gas or electricity.

However, Mechanical Business notes that kind of issue pales in comparison to the immediate danger "that a damaged gas or hydro line can present."

Image via Shutterstock

With reporting by Rebecca Bream of Patch