Extreme Cold Triggers ‘Frost Quakes’ Across U.S.—Is Washington Prepared for the Fallout?

Across large swaths of the United States, a wave of unprecedented cold has unleashed a bizarre seismic phenomenon known as “frost quakes” or criosismos. These sudden ground ruptures, caused by rapid soil freezing and expansion, have rattled communities from Texas to Kentucky with loud booms and tremors strong enough to topple trees. While often dismissed as harmless natural curiosities, these events underscore a deeper issue: the consequences of policy failures that leave American infrastructure vulnerable in extreme conditions. Why Are Frost Quakes Shaking America Now? The National Weather Service (NWS) explains that frost quakes occur when saturation from rain or...