When the Crowd Shakes: Mariners Fans, Science, and a Seismic Surprise

After star catcher Cal Raleigh mentioned feeling the stadium shake during a key play in Game 2, the Mariners saw an opportunity to capture fans’ excitement in real time. The playoff games offered a unique chance to connect science with the community.  

Doug Gibbons, a research engineer with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN), had just returned late from Oregon after installing an earthquake early warning station when the Mariners reached out. 

By the next morning, the PNSN team was at T-Mobile Park installing a temporary seismometer to measure the vibrations caused by the crowd. The sensor, nicknamed “Richter Rizzs” after longtime broadcaster Rick Rizzs, was installed on the ground floor between third base and home plate and ended up recording one of the most intense playoff games in Mariners’ history. 

Doug described the thrill of watching the data in real time: 

“I could see what was happening on the field before the livestream showed it. When Polanco hit the walk-off single, the seismogram spiked before the TV broadcast even caught the moment. It was incredible to see the fans’ energy literally move the ground.” 

The team ran live stomp tests to calibrate the sensors, marking spikes for key moments: the national anthem, inning-ending strikeouts, and the “Rivas Rumble” when Leo Rivas hit a game-tying single in the seventh inning. 

Finally came the “Polanco P-wave,” the seismic peak recorded when Jorge Polanco hit the walk-off RBI in the 15th inning, sending fans—and the city—into celebration. 

Beyond measuring excitement, PNSN’s work is tied to community safety. The same sensors that monitored fans feed the Shake Alert early warning system, which provides crucial seconds of notice during earthquakes so residents can take protective action. 

“The same principles that let us measure fan vibrations help us issue warnings for earthquakes,” Doug says. “Shake Alert doesn’t replace personal preparedness, but it’s a powerful tool to keep communities safe.” 

PNSN offers educational resources for families, students, and STEM enthusiasts: 

• ShakeOut: Access earthquake drills, graphics, toolkits, and preparedness activities. 

• ShakeAlert: Learn how early warning systems work and receive alerts on your devices. 

These resources help learners connect science to real events and understand the practical role of seismology in protecting communities. 

Members of Doug’s team at PNSN headquarters at the University of Washington coordinated logistics for the installation at T-Mobile Park. Several people contributed to the setup, including Mickey Cassar and Mouse Reusch, with Mickey leading IT efforts. 

Behind the scenes, Gavin Bullocks, Kyla Marczewski, and Nathan Briley from the Computers, Software, and Networking team worked to get the seismogram webpage live in Mariners colors and added functionality so the scientists could easily annotate real-time data during the game. 

Their teamwork shows how science is built on collaboration, curiosity, and adaptability. It also highlights how science connects to the community, transforming moments of excitement into opportunities to learn something new. Tracking seismic energy at a stadium or exploring natural phenomena at home both remind us that science is happening all around us.