New research suggests a geological explanation for the “ghost lights” seen in Summerville, California, that could help detect tectonic faults and provide more information about earthquake risk.
For decades, a mysterious light floating over railroad tracks near Summerville has been linked to a ghostly legend. Locals say it is the lantern of a restless spirit searching for her decapitated husband. But can science explain this strange phenomenon?
Seismologist Susan Hough of the U.S. Geological Survey believes the Summerville light could be a natural occurrence known as “earthquake lights“, a rare and poorly understood phenomenon sometimes associated with seismic activity.
Earthquake lights manifest in various ways, such as glowing orbs, sparks, or luminous pillars. These phenomena have been reported around the world, often adding an otherworldly aura due to its rarity and lack of a clear scientific explanation. Hypotheses range from the ignition of underground gases to electrical discharges caused by tectonic movements.
Hough and Roger Bilham, a geophysicist at the University of Colorado at Boulder, have been investigating the fault responsible for the 1886 Charleston earthquake, one of the largest seismic events in the southeastern United States. Summerville, about 25 miles from Charleston, has been a focal point of his research.
Hough’s interest in the Summerville Light began after reading about it in a U.S. Geological Survey newsletter about “scary science.” His investigation revealed that the light was observed by first time in the 50s or 60scoinciding with nearby earthquakes of magnitude 3.5 to 4.4.
The researcher theorizes that small tremors in the area may have released gases that could ignite when interacting with static electricity or friction from rocks. Unused railway lines in the area may also have played a role, as steel rails and old scrap metal can generate sparks under certain conditions.
“The old rails were not always removed when new tracks were installed,” Hough noted. “Piles of scrap metal along the tracks could easily contribute to this phenomenon.”
Although intriguing, Hough’s theory has not yet been proven. Future studies could involve gas detectors and geological probes to look for shallow faults and measure gas emissions in the region, indicates the .
“There are many faults in the eastern US, but identifying active ones is challenging,” Hough explained. “Perhaps these ‘ghost lights’ will help highlight environments that produce earthquake lights and illuminate fault areas“.
Hough shared his in Seismological Research Letters, hoping they will inspire more research into these mysterious lights and their connection to seismic activity.
