Melbourne felt the earth move under its feet, and it wasn't an earthquake! The iconic rock band AC/DC's concert caused a stir, quite literally, as it registered on seismology equipment, leaving scientists intrigued. But was it the thunderous drums or the amped-up guitars that caused this phenomenon?
During their long-awaited return to Australia, AC/DC's performance shook the city, quite literally, as the ground trembled with each beat. Seismologists at the Seismology Research Centre confirmed that the concert's vibrations were detected in the 2-5 hertz range, enough to make people wonder if an earthquake was underway.
Adam Pascale, the chief scientist, explained that the concert's energy was felt through the ground, not just the air. The powerful speakers transmitted vibrations through the earth, and the enthusiastic crowd jumping in unison amplified the effect, creating a unique seismic event.
Interestingly, crowd behavior plays a significant role in these occurrences. When fans move in sync, it intensifies the seismic signal, as Mr. Pascale noted. This phenomenon isn't exclusive to AC/DC; even the grand final at the MCG creates detectable vibrations.
The Power Up tour has been a global sensation, selling out shows and leaving fans in awe. Residents up to 10 kilometers away reported hearing the concert, mistaking it for loud neighbors. But even with all that power, AC/DC couldn't top the seismic impact of Taylor Swift's concerts in 2024, according to Mr. Pascale.
This raises an intriguing question: Which musical genre has the potential to create the most significant seismic impact? Rock, pop, or something else entirely? The debate is open, and we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!