Exotic Seismology

Exotic seismic events are things that are recorded on seismic instruments but are not earthquakes or routine mining or quarry explosions. Sometimes the term "environmental seismology" is used for non-earthquake types of seismic recordings. Natural exotic events can include landslides, avalanches, floods, or meteors. Man-made exotic events include unusual explosions, sonic-booms or even dancing football fans. For a general review of such events see our exotic event blog post.

Below is a referenced list of such events recorded at the PNSN with either a blog post or similar reference. This list is ordered from most recent (top) to oldest. Those marked with the text "TO BE ADDED" are known to have seismic records but no web report of them has yet been generated.

Mystery explosions on Orcas Island, Mar. 7, 2022
Re-entry of rocket parts into the atmosphere generate sonic booms, May 20,2021
A pair of large snow avalanches at Mount St. Helens, Feb 1 and 3, 2021
A bolide explosion off the coast of Washington, March 7, 2018
Tiny earthquakes associated with a slow landslide, Jan, 2018
Ice/snow avalanche from Sherman Peak, Mount Baker, May 25, 2016
Propane and natural gas explosions, in Port Orchard and Seattle, Feb-Mar, 2016
Debris flow and rock fall at Mount Rainier and Mount Hood, Aug-Sep. 2015
Football fans seismic shaking. Jan. 19, Jan 9, Jan 5, 2015
Snow avalanches at Mount St. Helens, May 15, 2014
Natural gas explosion in North Bend, WA Apr. 25, 2014
Very large and deadly landslide near Oso, WA, Mar. 22, 2014
Ice avalanche at Mount Rainier, Feb 25, 2014
Football fans making more "Beast Quakes". Jan 8, Jan 11, Jan 14, Jan 19, 2014
Snow, ice and debris avalanche at Mount Baker, Oct. 21, 2013 (and Jul 25, 2006)
Glacier outburst flood at Mount Baker, Jun. 2013
Sonic boom from bolide just south of Spokane, WA, Jan 11, 2013
Lightning and thunder recorded on seismographs near Newberry Volcano, Jun. 24, 2012
Artillery or explosions at Yakima Firing Range, Mar. 20, 2012
Mining explosions that were hard to diagnose, from Canada, Feb 10, 2012
Glacier squeaks and pops at Mount Rainier, Jan 6, Jan 8, Jan 11, Jan 13, Jan 18 and Jan. 23, 2012
Large ice/rock avalanches at Mount Rainier, Jun-Jul, 2011
Large snow avalanche at Mount St. Helens, Mar. 10, 2011
Probable snow avalanche at Mount Hood, Mar 10, 2011
Original "Beast Quake" (ie football fans), Jan 8, 2011
Light rail tunneling under Capital Hill, Seattle, Dec. 2, Dec. 6, 2011
Large snow avalanche at Mount Hood, Mar 29, 2010
Very large landslide in Nile Valley, eastern Cascades, Oct 11, 2009
Volcanic tremor at an Alaskan volcano, March 2009
Ice/snow avalanche from Sherman Peak, Mount Baker, Jul 25, 2006
Meteor or bolide boom near Everett, WA, Jun 3, 2004
The first Episodic Tremor and Slip (ETS) observed by PNSN, Feb-Mar 2003
Swift reservoir canal collapse near Mount St. Helens, Apr. 21, 2002
Debris flow at Mount Rainier, Aug 14, 2001
Shots (explosions) as part of "SHIPS" experience in Puget Sound, Sep 21, 1999
Glacier squeaks and pops first recognized, Nov 11-18, 1998
Very large ice and rock avalanche off of Mount Adams, Oct. 20, 1997
Rock Fall from Russel Cliff, Mount Rainier, Aug 16, 1989 (TO BE ADDED)
Huge debris avalanche & eruption, Mount St. Helens, May 18, 1980 (TO BE ADDED)
Glacier collapse into Sherman Crater, Mount Baker, Jul 13, 1977 (To BE ADDED)
Large Rockfall from Little Tahoma, Mount Rainier, Dec 6, 1963 (TO BE ADDED)