Seismologist Wenyuan Fan explains the accidental discovery — buried deep in seismic and meteorological data — that certain storms over ocean water can cause measurable seismic activity, or ‘stormquakes.’

He says this phenomenon could help scientists better understand the earth below the sea.

This episode was produced by Brent Baughman and edited by Viet Le, with fact checking by Emily Vaughn.

Short Wave Podcast

It’s science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join host Maddie Sofia for science on a different wavelength.