Residents in several states have reported sudden loud bangs and subtle ground shaking as Arctic air pushes temperatures well below freezing. While the noises have startled many — often mistaken for falling trees or structural damage — meteorologists say the cause is natural and harmless.

Known scientifically as cryoseisms, frost quakes occur when moisture in the ground freezes rapidly. As water turns to ice, it expands, building pressure in the surrounding soil. When that pressure becomes too great, the ground cracks suddenly, releasing energy in the form of booming sounds and minor vibrations.

Weather experts explain that this typically happens after rain or snowmelt saturates the soil, followed by a sharp temperature drop. The faster the freeze, the greater the chance of hearing these explosive noises.

In Kentucky and surrounding regions, weather offices have fielded calls from concerned residents reporting unexplained booms during overnight cold snaps. Forecasters say such events are relatively uncommon in the area, as they require a specific combination of wet ground and rapidly plunging temperatures.

Despite their dramatic nature, frost quakes are not considered dangerous. Specialists emphasize that they do not indicate seismic activity and rarely cause damage. The more serious risks during these cold spells come from prolonged exposure to sub-zero temperatures and wind chill, which can pose threats to health and infrastructure.

Meteorologists also note that frost quakes tend to be more noticeable at night, when background noise is low and temperature drops are often at their sharpest.

As extreme winter weather becomes more erratic, scientists expect these events to remain rare but possible whenever conditions align — serving as another reminder of how rapidly shifting temperatures can produce surprising effects on the ground beneath our feet.