The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network recorded a small tremor at 4:43 p.m. Saturday - precisely the time that Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch broke eight tackles on his 67-yard touchdown scamper at Qwest Field, sealing a 41-36 victory for the underdog NFC West champions over the New Orleans Saints.
While Qwest Field is famous for its crowd noise, PNSN scientists claim their readings show what was the first recorded earthquake caused by the NFL's so-called 12th man. Network director John Vidale told the Associated Press that he was inspired to look at the seismic graphs after watching a video posted on the Internet from the upper deck of the stadium and noticing the shaking as Lynch completed his TD run. Vidale said the shaking lasted about 30 seconds and then faded off for another minute.
Seahawks fans aren't the first to rattle their foundations, though. College crowds at the University of Central Florida and the University of Wisconsin have caused their football stadiums to shake by jumping up and down in unison during action on the field and to loud prerecorded music.
