And the Earth Moved

You may have already read about the slight earth tremor that occurred in Mexico City on Sunday, but I thought it was a funny story worth repeating.

Yesterday Mexico played its first game of the World Cup against Germany, the defending champions.  The German team is a favorite to win the cup again, and Mexico was the underdog.  Mexico is a nation of soccer fanatics, and millions were glued to their televisions watching the match.

Thirty five minutes into the game Mexico scored a goal against Germany.  At that same moment, two different sensors of the Institute of Geologic and Atmospheric Investigation in Mexico City picked up slight seismic movement.  Could millions of Mexican fans jumping up and down with glee have caused a tiny tremor?  Some scientists scoff at the idea, but seismologists in Chile also noted the activity from Mexico on their instruments.  They said that the tremor appeared to be of artificial origen.

The so-called "fanquake" may or may not be simply a coincidence.  However, that one goal gave Mexico an unexpected victory over Germany, and after the game the fans poured out onto the streets to celebrate.

(photo taken from the web)

   The post-game celebration fills Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma.