Norwegian City Shakes as Team Scores at World Cup
Seismometer in Bergen recorded ground vibrations from fan celebrations when Norwegian team scored.
Research group from University of Bergen, including professors Mathilde Sorensen and Lars Ottemoller, found unusual signals on basement seismometer during Norway national team matches at World Cup 2026.
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According to Wired, vibrations first registered during Iraq match on June 17, when Norway won 4-1. Signal became very clear when striker Erling Haaland scored one of his two goals. On June 23, during Norway's 3-2 win over Senegal, phenomenon repeated.
Scientists say this not natural geological event but stems from fan celebrations. Thousands cheering, shouting, dancing simultaneously created ground vibrations strong enough for scientific instruments like seismometers to detect. Device helps measure ground movement and vibration, like seismic waves from earthquakes, widely used by geophysicists.
Sorensen and Ottemoller say this shows Bergen is "vibrant and energetic" city. They noted University of Bergen seismometer can detect ground vibrations with accuracy down to one-millionth of millimeter.
Norwegian fans and players celebrate with rowing motion after 3-2 win against Senegal in second match of Group I to enter Round of 32 of World Cup 2026 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. Photo: Reuters
Similar ground vibrations occurred during crowded events worldwide. According to Guardian, in 2024, British Geological Survey (BGS) seismic monitoring equipment recorded shaking during Taylor Swift performance at Murrayfield Stadium. Peak displacement reached 23.4 nanometers, much smaller than real earthquake, with strongest impact when 73,000 fans danced to Ready For It and Cruel Summer.
According to Norwegian seismic institute NORSAR, these tremors stem from two main causes. First, thousands stomping and jumping together transmits vibrations into ground. Second, collective shouting creates vibrations spreading to surrounding walls and topsoil.
Times of India reports monitoring man-made waves in crowded urban areas gives structural engineers and geologists useful data on how local ground reacts under pressure. They can study how energy travels through rock layers beneath city, helping detect ground weaknesses without using explosives for surveys.