Seismological study measures ground vibrations at OAKA events

In May 2026, the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens installed a high-sensitivity seismological station at the Athens Olympic Athletic Center (OAKA) to study vibrations caused by large crowd events. Data were collected during concerts by Metallica on May 9 and Iron Maiden on May 23, as well as the EuroLeague Final Four. Results showed that the Metallica concert, attended by approximately 90,000 people, caused seismic responses 2.5 times stronger than the Iron Maiden concert, which had 50,000 attendees. Scientists calculated the seismic energy for the Metallica performance as equivalent to a local magnitude of approximately 1.5 ML, while Iron Maiden reached 0.9 ML. The study also recorded seismic signals during the EuroLeague Final Four, notably during celebrations by Olympiacos fans, which were found to be comparable in intensity to the Iron Maiden concert. Researchers were able to correlate specific seismic peaks with individual songs played during the musical performances. These measurements do not represent actual tectonic earthquakes but serve as an index for human-generated ground movement. The study highlights how massive crowd participation can be precisely captured through modern seismographic technology.