ANU scientists to measure ‘footy quake’ at Raiders game

August 26, 2022

If you've ever thought you felt the Earth move under your feet at a Canberra Raiders game, you might soon have scientific proof thanks to researchers from The Australian National University (ANU). Professor Malcolm Sambridge and his team will measure the seismic activity caused by the Viking Clap and crowd reaction to big moments at this Sunday's game at GIO Stadium. "We're hoping to be able to see a 'footy quake' when a try is scored. Professor Sambridge and the team first tested the idea of measuring seismic activity at a Raiders game in 2017. The idea was inspired by the first ever identification of "footquakes" created by humans showing up in seismic signals in Cameroon.

If you've ever thought you felt the Earth move under your feet at a Canberra Raiders game, you might soon have scientific proof thanks to researchers from The Australian National University (ANU). 

Professor Malcolm Sambridge and his team will measure the seismic activity caused by the Viking Clap and crowd reaction to big moments at this Sunday's game at GIO Stadium.  

They will install a seismometer underneath the stands that can pick up both audio waves and those transmitted into the ground - like when fans stamp their feet. 

"We're hoping to be able to see a 'footy quake' when a try is scored. It's likely to be slightly bigger when the Raiders score of course," Professor Sambridge said. 

"It's a general interest project for us, something we are curious to understand. But it's also a fantastic way of connecting with the public and showing them what science can do. 

"Measuring these shallow, human induced waves can come in handy when it comes to things like evaluating buildings and roads." 

Professor Sambridge and the team first tested the idea of measuring seismic activity at a Raiders game in 2017. He is hoping for an even bigger result this time around. 

"Originally we weren't sure the signal would be strong enough to pick up, but we quickly realised we could clearly see the response to big events during the game," he said. 

"We're hoping to record Australia's biggest ever footy quake this time." 

The idea was inspired by the first ever identification of "footquakes" created by humans showing up in seismic signals in Cameroon.  

Consistent seismic signals from various sites across the country turned out to correspond with the enthusiastic celebrations of soccer fans after goals were scored during the 2006 African Cup of Nations.  

The ANU team will share its results on social media via @AusisEdu.

 

The source of this news is from Australian National University

Popular in Research

1

Mar 19, 2024

Nancy Hopkins awarded the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal

2

Mar 14, 2024

MIT Faculty Founder Initiative announces finalists for second competition

3

Mar 12, 2024

Corinne Bailey Rae is the 2024 Spring Artist-in-Residence at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music

4

Mar 11, 2024

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2024: Call for expression of interest

5

Mar 9, 2024

Use of cultural specific terms in times of crises can cause greater health inequalities

White House fights back against age comments in Biden probe

17 hours ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs blasts feds’ ‘military-level force’ during raid of his homes, calls investigation a ‘witch hunt’

17 hours ago

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to step down; board chair and commercial airplane head replaced in wake of 737 Max crisis

1 day ago

Biden, Promising Corporate Tax Increases, Has Cut Taxes Overall

1 day ago

Remembering MIT Copytech Director Casey Harrington

17 hours ago

Noubar Afeyan PhD ’87 to deliver MIT’s 2024 Commencement address

2 days ago