Polar Vortex in Chicago: 50 degrees below zero, dead and earthquakes

At least 10 people have died in the last few hours as a result of the polar cold wave affecting the central-eastern United States, local sources reported. On Wednesday, the cold and wind kept the thermometers under negative temperatures for some 75 million Americans, although experts estimate that the storm will be felt on 85% of the national territory, representing a population of 39, about 230 million inhabitants. people, reports the NBC News television network.

The WGN television channel reported that in Chicago, even frost-induced earthquakes were recorded: "I thought I was crazy, I was up all night because I could not help hearing it," said Citizen Chastity Clark Baker. to the news channel. "I was scared and I thought it was the oven, I kept walking in the house, I had everyone's jackets on the table in case we had to run away." This sound was not a furnace ready to explode, but probably a meteorological phenomenon also overwhelming the "firenado" or fire tornado: tremor by frost.

See as well: The most shocking images of the cold snap in Chicago

Tremor due to frost, or Cryose occurs when groundwater freezes and expands, causing the breaking of the earth and the rock. According to WGN, the roar usually starts with a sudden drop in temperature. The National Meteorological Service said the polar vortex that primarily affects the states of Michigan, Indiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Ohio, the United States, and the United States. Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nebraska is considered "one of the coldest air vents in recent history" in the United States.

More than 2,700 flights have been canceled between Tuesday and Wednesday at US airports, including more than 1,500 only on Chicago airfields, according to FlightAware.com. The capital of Illinois is breaking temperature records in recent days and it is estimated that Thursday morning can reach 27 degrees below zero, with daytime temperatures of about 15 degrees below freezing.

ironies

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, on Tuesday referred to this polar wave on Twitter not only to warn of low temperatures, but also to ironically raise his vision of climate change. "Where is global warming? Come back please, we need you."

S.D.