This is because snow acts as an insulator when it is deep enough. This change cracks the ground, including rock, around the solid ice formation.Īn abundance of snow will prevent frost quakes from occurring. When the temperature drops rapidly, within approximately 12 to 48 hours, water that has collected below the surface of the ground freezes solid and expands quickly. When temperatures are at the freezing point, water located deep underground can begin to freeze. The severity of the cracking of the soil depends on the amount of water present. The precipitation can be in the form of rain, sleet or a mixture of wet weather conditions that have saturated the ground saturated deep down. This happens most frequently in areas where there has been a great deal of precipitation in a relatively short period. "Within the U.S., they happen most often across the central and northern Plains into the Northeast, but any place that can have saturated ground and rapid freeze cycles could experience them," Douty said.įor a frost quake to occur, there must be sufficient water present, and this water must be located deep within the ground.
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