Language | THE BUZZ Feb 8, 2014

Frost quake

A frost quake (shimo jishin, or 霜地震) is produced when soil or groundwater that has become saturated with water after a period of heavy rainfall freezes and expands after a sharp drop in air temperature. The earth subsequently cracks, creating a loud popping sound ...

Language | THE BUZZ Jan 11, 2014

What the heck is that word I keep hearing?

A polar vortex (kyokūzu/極渦) is a persistent, large-scale cyclone located near either of a planet's geographical poles. The extreme arctic blasts that wreaked havoc across the United States last week were caused by a counterclockwise-rotating pool of cold, dense air. The frigid air, piled ...