Atmospheric pressure can change drastically during an earthquake. The force of released energy will simply push a mass of air pressure, temporarily dislocating it. In 1969, during an earthquake in Japan, the air 210 miles (336 kilometers) above Earth temporarily shot up about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers).
Spouts of sand, mud, steam, and water have all been seen shooting up during quakes. These geyser-like streams can reach higher than 20 feet (6 meters).
Earthquake effects can stimulate all of our senses. Not only will we feel the ground shake, but we might see a dome of earthquake light hanging over the ground—a result of released electricity and water vapor—or sheets of lightning.
There may be smelly fumes—especially sulfur—coming from local water. The unpleasant taste of sulfur is sometimes in both the air and water. And, perhaps most frightening, we might hear great rumblings coming from within the earth.
