Scientists harness Taylor Swift concert to measure seismic activity and boost science engagement

Scientists harness Taylor Swift concert to measure seismic activity and boost science engagement

Posted on: 02 September 2025

The seismic activity generated by Taylor Swift's sold-out concerts in Dublin in July 2024 provided a unique opportunity for scientific engagement and education, according to the authors of a groundbreaking new study.

Geophysicist Eleanor Dunn from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies hit the headlines in July 2024 with her #SwiftQuakeDublin project studying the seismic activity generated by Taylor Swift's concerts in Dublin.

Now the PhD student and one of her supervisors, Professor Joseph Roche from the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin, have published an academic paper in the International Journal of Science Education about the power of pop culture events to boost scientific understanding and engagement.

The paper, "Are you ready for it? Harnessing celebrity influence for science communication and seismology - The Taylor Swift effect", describes the powerful potential for celebrity influence in science communication and public understanding of science.

The project bridged the gap between celebrity pop culture and scientific inquiry. Image Shutterstock.

In June 2024, as Taylor Swift played three record-breaking nights at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, researchers installed 42 temporary seismometers across 21 locations surrounding the venue. This extensive network allowed them to meticulously record and compare the seismic impact of the concerts with the readings from the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN).

Measuring this "SwiftQuake" garnered public and media attention through strategic social and traditional media campaigns, captivating fans and the wider public alike. Following the concerts, the team analysed the collected seismic data, sharing their findings with audiences and inviting fans to contribute their concert videos to aid in the seismic analysis.

Seismic signals measured at the stadium for songs such as Shake It Off were matched with patterns detected by the national network in the Dublin mountains and in Wexford, showing the SwiftQuake being detected more than 100km away.

By examining the extensive social and traditional media output, the study highlights how cultural events with massive public appeal can be leveraged to engage citizens and enhance their understanding of complex scientific concepts.

Lead author Eleanor Dunn, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, explains: "This project was an incredible opportunity to bridge the gap between celebrity pop culture and scientific inquiry. Witnessing the public's enthusiasm, especially from Swifties, for understanding how their collective energy translated into measurable seismic waves was truly inspiring. It showed us that science is all around us, even in our favourite music events!

"This study demonstrates that integrating popular cultural events into scientific research can create accessible and exciting avenues for public engagement, transforming audiences into active participants in scientific discovery."

Professor Joseph Roche, co-author of the study, from the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin, praised Dunn's innovative approach. "Eleanor's research showcases the power of interdisciplinary thinking, combining seismology, science communication, and celebrity studies. It's a brilliant example of what happens when a researcher combines their unique research skills with their personal passions. Eleanor is a dedicated Swiftie and, once this study is published, Taylor is going to be just as big a fan of Eleanor's research!"

Key Findings:

• Innovative Engagement: The deployment of 42 seismometers around a major concert venue successfully captured the seismic impact of a large-scale cultural event.
• Public Interest: Strategic social and traditional media campaigns generated significant public interest in seismology and science communication.
• Citizen Science Potential: The project successfully invited and utilised fan-contributed content for scientific analysis, showcasing a unique form of citizen science.
• Pop Culture as a Catalyst: The research confirms the potential of pop culture events to act as powerful catalysts for scientific understanding and engagement.

The full paper, "Are you ready for it? Harnessing celebrity influence for science communication and seismology - The Taylor Swift effect," is available to read on the journal website.

• Tags:
• Culture
• Research
• Society