World Cup fans in Mexico cheered so intensely during their team’s upset of Germany that they triggered a small earthquake in Mexico City. The tremor was detected by the Instituto de Investigaciones Geológicas y Atmosféricas A.C. (Institute of Geological and Atmospheric Research).
In a tweet, the Mexican research center (SIMMSA) said at least two sensors inside Mexico City detected an earthquake, possibly triggered by hordes of fans jumping when Mexico’s Hirving Lozano scored the match’s only goal. The Mexican team upset the reigning German national team, which arrived in Russia armed with technology hoping to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend the title.
El #sismo detectado en la Ciudad de México se originó de manera artificial. Posiblemente por saltos masivos durante el Gol de la selección de #México en el mundial. Por lo menos dos sensores dentro de la Ciudad lo detectaron a las 11:32. pic.twitter.com/mACKesab3b
— SIMMSA (@SIMMSAmex) June 17, 2018
In a blog post, SIMMSA said the tremors were detected by very sensitive equipment and would not have been noticed by the general population. Millions of people had gathered in public spaces throughout the city to watch the game streaming live from Russia and erupted in celebration following the national team’s win.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen artificial earthquakes triggered from sports mania. The 1988 Auburn-LSU college football game at LSU’s Tiger Stadium has been nicknamed the “Earthquake Game” following LSU’s 7-6 upset over Auburn.