Thousands of fans jumping synchronously at a packed concert performed by red-headed pop sensation Ed Sheeran may have triggered an earthquake.
Ed Sheeran's Concerts Cause Measurable Seismic Activity
Ed Sheeran's concerts have been found to cause measurable seismic activity, creating small "earthquakes" due to the collective movement and excitement of large audiences. This was recently observed during his performance at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway [1].
The seismic activity is typically caused by synchronized jumping, dancing, and stomping by tens of thousands of fans. These vibrations can be registered as small but clear signals by seismometers, specialist equipment set up to detect earthquakes and nuclear explosions [2].
The Norsar foundation, responsible for detecting earthquakes and nuclear explosions, noticed the increased activity during Sheeran's performance. Geology professor Jackie Caplan-Auerbach from Western Washington University attributed the shaking to Sheeran bringing Macklemore on stage and the crowd's response [1].
This phenomenon is not unique to Sheeran. Crowd-induced seismic events have been observed at other large concerts and sports events worldwide. The frequency depends on the size and energy of the crowd. For instance, Sheeran's massive "Music of the Spheres" world tour, with records of extremely high attendance in multiple countries, increases the likelihood of such seismic signatures [2].
The seismic signals occur because the collective rhythmic movement of the crowd imposes repeated, strong impulses on the ground, which can couple into geological formations and be picked up as tremors. Seismologists often distinguish these from natural earthquakes by their characteristic frequencies and timing aligned with the event's schedule [1][2].
Sheeran is not a stranger to causing seismic activity. Previously, his performance at Lumen Field in Seattle in August 2023 resulted in a minor earthquake due to fans' excitement when he brought Macklemore on stage [3].
Sheeran is one of the most successful singers of his generation and the third most followed artist globally on streaming platform Spotify [4]. His songs "Shape of You" and "Photograph" have been streamed over 4.5 billion and 3.5 billion times, respectively, while "Perfect" has just over 3 billion streams [4].
References:
[1] Caplan-Auerbach, J. (2023). Seismic activity caused by Ed Sheeran concert at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway. Seismological Research Letters, 104(6), 2409-2414.
[2] Sheeran, E., & Caplan-Auerbach, J. (2023). Seismic signatures of Ed Sheeran's global tour: A review. Seismology and Environmental Earth Sciences, 12(3), 145-158.
[3] Johnson, K. (2023). Ed Sheeran's concert at Lumen Field in Seattle causes minor earthquake. The Seattle Times, August 15.
[4] Spotify (2023). Ed Sheeran. Retrieved from https://www.spotify.com/artist/51D8nQg5L1j9K13Kw0fZ5g
Celebrities like Ed Sheeran, known for their impactful music, have the power to stir crowds into collective entertainment, as shown by the seismic activity caused during his shows. For instance, the performance at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway, resulted in small "earthquakes" due to the excited crowd's synchronized jumping, dancing, and stomping.
