Taylor Swift Fans ‘Shake It Off,’ Causing Record-Breaking Seismic Activity During Seattle Shows

Taylor Swift fans, known affectionately as Swifties, have taken their dedication to a whole new level during the pop superstar’s “Eras” tour, leaving a seismic impact on Seattle’s Lumen Field. After two nights of electrifying performances, the enthusiastic crowd caused a seismic activity equivalent to a 2.3 magnitude earthquake, according to seismologist Jackie Caplan-Auerbach.

The “Swift Quake” has drawn comparisons to the infamous 2011 “Beast Quake,” when Seattle Seahawks fans erupted in celebration after an extraordinary touchdown by running back Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch. The vibrations from the Swift concert were detected on the same local seismometer that recorded the “Beast Quake,” as Caplan-Auerbach shared with CNN.

Caplan-Auerbach, a geology professor at Western Washington University, noticed the similarities between the two seismic events through a Pacific Northwest earthquake group she moderates on Facebook. Upon examining the data from both nights of the concert, she found clear patterns of signals that were nearly identical when overlaid.

The main difference between the concerts on July 22 and July 23, aside from Swift’s occasional surprise songs, was a mere 26-minute variation. Caplan-Auerbach discovered that the Sunday show experienced a delay of about half an hour, accounting for the discrepancy.

While the magnitude difference between the “Beast Quake” and the “Swift Quake” was only 0.3, Caplan-Auerbach emphasized that Swifties outshone Seahawks fans in their impact. “The shaking was twice as strong as ‘Beast Quake.’ It absolutely doubled it,” she remarked.

Caplan-Auerbach further explained that the duration of shaking made a significant difference. Cheering during a touchdown celebration typically lasts only a few seconds, whereas the rhythm and energy emanating from a concert like Taylor Swift’s can resonate for hours, affecting the ground beneath.

The seismic phenomenon has sparked excitement not only among Taylor Swift fans but also within the scientific community. Caplan-Auerbach expressed her enthusiasm about the chance to become a Swiftie herself and to showcase that science is not limited to lab environments.

Sharing her own experiences from attending one of Swift’s Seattle concerts, CNN’s Chloe Melas described the event as an unparalleled experience, with the ground literally shaking beneath her feet. The energy and excitement from the audience were tangible throughout the show.

Taylor Swift herself acknowledged the incredible energy of her Seattle fans in an Instagram post on Monday, thanking them for their exuberant cheering, screaming, jumping, dancing, and singing. She expressed her delight at the unforgettable weekend she spent with her West Coast Swifties.

As the “Eras” tour nears its domestic conclusion, Swift’s impact goes beyond entertaining her fans. Her tour has been credited with boosting local economies and breaking attendance records in various cities, including Pittsburgh.

The “Eras” tour is set to continue in Santa Clara, Northern California, on Friday, followed by six shows in Los Angeles next month, marking the conclusion of her US tour. Afterwards, Taylor Swift will take her tour international, commencing with a show in Mexico City on August 24.