Football fans in Mexico could have caused an “artificial earthquake” in celebrating their country’s 1-0 FIFA World Cup win against Germany, according to Mexican seismic monitor SIMMSA.
The Luzhniki Stadium in Russia erupted with noise at around 6pm local time as Mexico’s Hirving Lozano scored what would end up being the winning goal.
An eruption of a different kind was also reportedly felt back in Mexico City, with SIMMSA claiming to have recorded an artificial earthquake with a maximum acceleration of 37cm/s2.
The seismic activity could have been caused by “massive jumps” across the city, it said in a tweet.
"The #sismo detected in Mexico City originated artificially. Possibly by massive jumps during the goal of the selection of #México in the World Cup. At least two sensors inside the city detected it at 11:32. "
SIMMSA, which is operated by the area's Institute of Geological and Atmospheric Research, said the artificial earthquake synced perfectly with the goal.
No major damage to infrastructure in Mexico City has been reported.
SIMMSA’s mission is to keep citizens informed about seismic events and their characteristics, its website said.
A seismic monitor in Chile also said it detected activity at the time of Lozano's goal.
"Our seismic warning devices also detected the artificial earthquake in real time, the maximum acceleration reached 37cm/s2 at the same time as [the] goal," it said in a tweet.
Mexico would hold on to win the match 1-0, sending them to the top of Group F ahead of matches against Sweden and South Korea.
The Mexican team, known as El Tri, or “the Tri” because its uniform carries the three colours of the Mexican flag, has not progressed past the World Cup last 16 in 28 years.
It was the first time since 1982 Germany failed to win their opening game at a World Cup.
