Louisville, KY – As winter’s first deep freeze settles in, residents from Louisville to Lexington could soon be startled by loud, thunder-like booms echoing through the night. According to the Kentucky Geological Survey, those sounds are likely frost quakes — sudden cracking events in frozen ground caused by rapid temperature drops.
Known scientifically as cryoseisms, frost quakes occur when moisture trapped in soil or rock freezes too quickly. As the water expands into ice, it creates immense underground pressure until the frozen ground suddenly splits apart, releasing a sharp, explosive sound that can rattle windows or even shake nearby homes.
Meteorologists say Kentucky’s freeze-thaw cycle this month provides perfect conditions for frost quakes. After recent rain and mild temperatures, the ground is saturated — and as arctic air moves in, overnight lows across central Kentucky are expected to drop into the teens. The lack of snow cover adds to the risk, since snow usually insulates the ground from freezing so quickly.
These events typically occur between midnight and dawn, when temperatures are at their lowest. Frost quakes are harmless in most cases but can cause small cracks in pavement or foundations near the surface.
Experts recommend improving yard drainage and moving water away from basements before major cold snaps.
So if you’re awakened by a sudden boom on a calm, icy night from Louisville to Lexington, it’s not thunder — it’s the frozen Kentucky ground splitting under winter’s stress.
