Coloradans from Denver to Colorado Springs may soon hear thunderous booms or feel slight tremors on freezing winter evenings, but this is not seismic activity. According to the Colorado Geological Survey, those startling sounds are most likely frost quakes, which are rapid cracks in the frozen ground triggered by significant temperature fluctuations.
Frost quakes, also known as cryoseisms, occur when rain or melting snow seeps into the earth and instantly freezes. As the trapped water grows into ice, pressure builds up until the ground splits abruptly, releasing energy with a loud, explosive sound. The event may feel similar to a little earthquake, although it is quick and localized.
Meteorologists say circumstances are optimal this week in the Front Range and Eastern Plains, where recent snowmelt and nightly lows in the single digits may combine to cause frost quakes. These are most likely to form when there is little snow cover to keep the soil from freezing completely.
Frost quakes typically occur between midnight and sunrise, when the cold is at its most intense. Residents may detect rattling windows or small cracks in driveways and pavement, though these rarely cause harm.
To reduce the chance of another freeze, experts recommend improving drainage and keeping water away from housing foundations.
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