Scotland fans’ celebrations against Denmark caused a very minor earthquake in Glasgow

It wasn’t just Hampden Park that shook as Scotland scored twice in stoppage time against Denmark on Tuesday to book their first place in the World Cup since 1998.

The earth also trembled.

According to the British Geological Survey (BGS), the emotional outburst from the Scottish fans when Kenny McLean scored from the halfway line to seal a stunning 4-2 victory was equivalent to a very minor earthquake.

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The BGS said McLean’s target was picked up by the seismic activity monitors at the Glasgow Geothermal Observatory in Dalmarnock, about 2km from Hampden Park.

A measurement taken between 9:48 PM and 9:50 PM – when McLean’s daring shot hit the net – was measured as a wave between -1 and zero on the Richter scale and produced the equivalent of 200 kW, enough to power between 25 and 40 car batteries.

The whistle also went a long way, as did Kieran Tierney’s brilliant goal to give Scotland a 3-2 lead.

Stadium events causing seismic activity in Scotland are not unheard of. Last year’s Taylor Swift concerts in Edinburgh also registered on the Richter scale.

Published on November 22, 2025