Ever Heard of an ‘Ice Quake’? One May Have Happened In Brainerd

Here in Minnesota, we don't get many earthquakes. Although scientists say they are a possibility here, they're extremely rare in our neck of the woods. But what about an ice quake? There IS such a phenomenon, and some are saying one happened recently in Brainerd.

According to the Brainerd Dispatch, a few residents of Gull Lake heard a loud, crashing sound on January 13th. It almost sounded like an explosion, some said. It wasn't until a few days later residents noticed damage to the shoreline, where concrete had been broken, normally-flat soil was unearthed, and a few trees were pointing at strange angles.

So what exactly happened? Well, acccording to the story, "Kevin Huyck, meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Duluth, said it sounded like a frost or ice heave-- or quake. As water in the ground freezes and expands, Huyck said the result may include loud banging sounds and upheaval. A frost heave is able to damage sidewalks and can contribute to building damage. If it's big enough, it can shift the ground."

I'd never heard of an 'ice quake' before now. I guess it makes sense-- and we know that lake ice is a powerful force, as this awesome video from the 2013 ice-out on Mille Lacs Lake shows!