Wichita, KS – Residents across central and eastern Kansas, including Wichita, Topeka, and surrounding communities, may hear sudden loud booms during overnight hours as a sharp cold snap follows recent rainfall. State geologists and meteorologists say the sounds are likely frost quakes, a rare winter phenomenon that can shake homes and startle residents.
What is causing the loud booms?
According to the Kansas Geological Survey, the noises are caused by frost quakes, also known scientifically as cryoseisms. These occur when water from rain or melting snow seeps into the ground and then freezes rapidly.
As the water turns to ice, it expands and creates intense pressure beneath the surface. When that pressure becomes too great, the frozen ground fractures suddenly, releasing energy in a sharp, explosive sound that can resemble thunder or even a small earthquake.
“Frost quakes are not earthquakes and do not involve movement along fault lines,” geologists explain. “They are shallow ground cracks caused by rapid freezing.”
Why Kansas is at higher risk this week
Meteorologists say weather conditions across central and eastern Kansas are ideal for frost quakes over the coming days.
Key contributing factors include:
- Recent rainfall that has saturated the soil
- Rapid temperature drops into the teens
- Thin or absent snow cover, allowing deeper ground freezing
- Clear nighttime skies, which intensify surface cooling
Areas from Wichita to Topeka are particularly vulnerable because the ground remains moist while cold air is expected to move in quickly behind a frontal system.
When frost quakes are most likely to occur
Frost quakes typically happen during the coldest hours of the night, most often between midnight and dawn. That timing is when temperatures drop fastest and frozen soil contracts abruptly.
Residents may experience:
- Loud cracking or booming sounds
- Vibrations felt inside homes
- Rattling windows or walls
- Minor surface cracks in pavement or driveways
Despite the alarming noise, frost quakes are rarely dangerous and usually cause only minor cosmetic damage.
Can frost quakes damage homes?
In most cases, frost quakes do not cause structural damage. However, experts say shallow cracking can occur in:
- Sidewalks
- Driveways
- Asphalt roads
- Poorly sealed foundations
Homes with existing foundation gaps or poor drainage are slightly more vulnerable to minor cracking.
How to reduce potential impacts around your home
Experts recommend several preventative steps ahead of deep freezes:
- Ensure proper drainage away from your home’s foundation
- Seal visible foundation cracks before temperatures drop
- Redirect downspouts so water does not pool near structures
- Avoid overwatering lawns ahead of freezing conditions
These steps help reduce the amount of water that can freeze beneath or around your home.
Not an earthquake, but still startling
Officials stress that frost quakes are not seismic events and do not indicate earthquake activity. Kansas does experience occasional minor earthquakes, but frost quakes are purely weather-related and occur much closer to the surface.
If you hear a sudden boom during a calm, frigid night, especially after rain or melting snow, experts say there is little cause for concern.
What residents should know
- Frost quakes are rare but harmless
- They occur during rapid freezing after wet conditions
- Sounds may be loud but typically cause minimal damage
- No emergency response is usually required
As winter weather continues across Kansas, officials encourage residents to stay informed about temperature drops and to take basic precautions to protect their property.
If you experience unusual sounds or vibrations during this cold stretch, share your experiences in the comments below to help others understand what’s happening across the region.
