Frost quakes hit Chicago. Know what is it?

Chicago residents experienced a weather phenomenon known as frost quakes as frigid temperatures griped the area. These occurrences produce distinctive loud booming or popping sounds and trigger minor earthquake-like tremors due to the impact of extremely cold conditions, as per a report.

Trent Ford, the state climatologist for Illinois, noted the absence of a formal reporting system for frost quakes, a phenomenon resulting from the rapid freezing of the ground. Despite the lack of an official mechanism, Ford has come across reports of these events through social media channels. Additionally, he personally encountered some instances of frost quakes, scientifically referred to as cryoseism, in the past, CNN reported.

Subfreezing conditions and treacherous roadways have contributed to dozens of deaths this month across the US, where states as far south as Texas and Florida remain gripped by deadly arctic weather Sunday. But the numbing cold is expected to ease up in the coming days.


Nationally, winter storms have claimed at least 72 lives around the US this January, many involving hypothermia or road accidents.

On Sunday, crews in Memphis, Tennessee, continued to work around the clock to find and fix broken pipes that were causing low water pressure throughout the system. Memphis Light, Gas and Water President and CEO Doug McGowen told reporters Sunday afternoon that crews are making progress and he expects most of the 700,000 people the utility services to have water restored over the next 24 hours.

FAQs:

Q1. How cold is it in US?
A1. Subfreezing conditions and treacherous roadways have contributed to dozens of deaths this month across the US, where states as far south as Texas and Florida remain gripped by deadly arctic weather Sunday. But the numbing cold is expected to ease up in the coming days.

Q2. How many people died in US due to winter?
A2. Winter storms have claimed at least 72 lives around the US this January, many involving hypothermia or road accidents.