Can the World Cup best the Beast Quake?

The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN), housed within the UW Department of Earth and Space Sciences, is once again using its earthquake-sensing equipment to connect with sports fans. As the world arrives in Seattle for five weeks of thrilling World Cup matches at Seattle Stadium (you may know it better as Lumen Field), PNSN will be using some of the same seismometers that provide early warning for earthquakes to track the excitement and energy of the crowds.

This isn’t the first time PNSN has ventured into the wide world of sports. Since the legendary Beast Quake in 2011 — when Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch rushed for 67 yards and broke nine tackles for a touchdown in the NFL playoffs, and the celebrating crowd generated a seismic signal comparable to a magnitude 2.0 earthquake — PNSN has partnered with both the Seahawks and Mariners to measure their crowds in big games. In anticipation of the NFL playoffs and forthcoming World Cup matches, PNSN installed seven seismometers throughout Seattle Stadium earlier this year.

Not only is this a fun exercise, it also helps PNSN scientists raise awareness of earthquake hazards in the region. Their ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System, which sends alerts to mobile phones and other warning networks when an earthquake strikes, can buy people precious seconds to drop, cover and hold on before the worst of the shaking hits. And the more people know about these risks, the more they can do to prepare.

As the World Cup kicks off in Seattle, PNSN will share real-time seismic data from the tournament on their website and social media accounts. But how will a World Cup golazo measure up to a Rashid Shaheed touchdown or an Eugenio Suárez grand slam? We’ll have to tune in and see!

Follow PNSN’s World Cup updates on:

PNSN World Cup Seismometer Page
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