© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Sensors to measure 'fan quakes' at Michigan-Ohio State game

Image courtesy of Jeffrey Fox
/
Ohio State University
This seismograph was recorded in Ohio Stadium during the Oct. 29 game with Northwestern, and covers the first hour, including pre-game. The seismic activity near the beginning of the graph is caused by people filing into the stadium.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio Stadium is sure to be rocking on Saturday when the rival Ohio State and Michigan football teams take the field.

Geologists will find out just how much.

They've planted sensors around the stadium this year to measure the seismic activity created by fans.

Ohio State and Miami University professors teamed up with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to devise the "FanQuakes Magnitude Scale." It converts the shaking coming from fans into the perceived magnitude of a naturally occurring earthquake.

So far this season, the biggest quake came after Curtis Samuel's touchdown catch at the beginning of the second half against Nebraska.

The shaking lasted over two minutes and reached a FanQuake Magnitude of 5.2.

Researchers say they're expecting fans at Saturday's game to "take it to another level."

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.
Related Content