Chapter Text
"Charlie for the love of all that is holy will you PLEASE stop playing with the wiring and pack the rest of your things?"
Charlie rolled his eyes. He just wanted to charge his laptop before their long drive to Summerville, and if that meant borrowing the neighbours electricity, then so be it.
As his laptop screen brightness increased he felt something hit the back of his head. He tilted his head slightly to see his rubix cubes on the floor.
"Einstein, come on! I'm pretty sure if we don't leave within the next 10 minutes then we are legally trespassing!"
"Thank you Jean, I had no idea."
Charlie collected the last of his things and hoped that 64% was enough charge to get them to their next stop.
As he walked out the front door he nearly fell over on account of Jean dashing past him.
"I would've thought we had matured past the point of childishly rushing past eachother."
"We are 18 Charlie. We are meant to be at the peak of our stupidity."
"I highly doubt that 7 years is enough time for your frontal lobe to fully develop."
"And yours was born fully developed. Anyways shotgun!"
Charlie rolled his eyes and dragged his feet into the back seat. He pulled his headphones on and pulled up a random episode of "no such thing as a fish" and turned his brain off.
The drive was long. 5 days long to be exact. Charlie kept himself amused by watching the world go by, tracing the rolling mountains in the distance. Jean entertained herself by trying to annoy Charlie.
On day 2 their car broke down and Charlie tried not to lose his sanity as Jean tried to fix their car with the help of some YouTube tutorials, and their mother stood by trying to help initially, but just resorted to doing what she did best and being an emotional support anchor.
Their mother was very good at that.
On day 4 Charlie decided to look up Summerville. Initially he found barely anything, but after a bit of digging he found an article titled "The oddity of the seismic activity in Summerville" by J. Bevan.
Nestled in the rolling hills of the American Midwest, Summerville is a small town that has captured the attention of geologists and scientists worldwide. Despite being located far from any known tectonic fault lines, volcanoes, or fracking sites, Summerville experiences a bizarre and constant series of earthquakes that have puzzled experts for decades. The town's unique seismic activity, characterized by its odd P-waves and S-waves, defies traditional geological understanding and raises questions about the forces at play beneath its surface.
A Quake-Prone Anomaly
Summerville's seismic history is as curious as it is unsettling. Unlike most regions prone to earthquakes, Summerville is situated in a geologically stable area, far removed from the tectonic boundaries where seismic activity is typically concentrated. Despite this, the town experiences frequent tremors, some registering as high as 5.0 on the Richter scale. The quakes are accompanied by unusual patterns in the primary (P) and secondary (S) waves, the energy waves that travel through the Earth during seismic events.
Traditionally, P-waves, or primary waves, are the fastest type of seismic wave and can travel through solid rock and fluids, including the Earth's core. They are typically followed by the slower S-waves, or secondary waves, which can only move through solid rock and are responsible for the ground shaking felt during an earthquake. However, in Summerville, these waves exhibit irregular patterns and anomalies that deviate significantly from standard seismic models.
Deciphering the Anomalies
The peculiar nature of Summerville's seismic activity has prompted numerous investigations by leading geologists and seismologists. One of the most striking anomalies observed in the town's earthquakes is the inversion of P-wave and S-wave velocities. In many cases, the S-waves arrive before the P-waves, a phenomenon that challenges the basic principles of seismology. Additionally, the amplitudes of the waves often fluctuate unpredictably, leading to varying intensities of shaking that are difficult to predict.
Initial studies suggested that the anomalies could be attributed to the unique geological composition of the area. Beneath Summerville lies a complex network of underground caverns and ancient lava tubes, remnants of volcanic activity from millions of years ago. These subterranean structures could potentially influence the propagation of seismic waves, causing the irregular patterns observed during the earthquakes. However, further research is needed to fully understand the impact of these geological features on the town's seismic activity.
A Haven for Researchers
Summerville's unusual seismic activity has transformed the town into a hub of scientific research and exploration. The Summerville Seismological Institute, established in the early 1990s, serves as a center for cutting-edge research into the region's seismic phenomena. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by a team of renowned scientists, the institute is dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of Summerville's earthquakes and advancing the field of seismology.
Dr. Emily Barber, a leading seismologist at the institute, has spent over a decade studying the town's unique seismic activity. "Summerville is an anomaly in the world of seismology," she explains. "The patterns and behaviors we observe here challenge our current understanding of how earthquakes work. It is both fascinating and frustrating, but it also presents an incredible opportunity for discovery."
Theories and Hypotheses
Several theories have been proposed to explain Summerville's unusual seismic activity, each offering a different perspective on the enigmatic phenomena.
Subterranean Gas Reservoirs: One theory suggests that the presence of underground gas reservoirs may contribute to the irregular seismic patterns. The buildup and release of gas pressure could potentially trigger earthquakes and influence the propagation of seismic waves, leading to the observed anomalies.
Magnetic Anomalies: Another hypothesis explores the possibility of magnetic anomalies beneath Summerville's surface. The presence of magnetic minerals in the area could potentially interfere with seismic wave propagation, altering their velocities and amplitudes.
Geomagnetic Storms: Some researchers have investigated the potential impact of geomagnetic storms on Summerville's seismic activity. These storms, caused by solar activity, can induce electrical currents in the Earth's crust, potentially influencing seismic behavior in the region.
Artificial Influences: Despite the absence of fracking or industrial activities in the area, some researchers have considered the possibility of artificial influences on Summerville's seismic activity. The construction of underground facilities or tunnels, for example, could potentially impact the region's seismic patterns.
A Community on Edge
For the residents of Summerville, the constant seismic activity is both a source of fascination and concern. The town's unique geological features have attracted tourists and researchers alike, boosting the local economy and providing a sense of pride in its scientific significance. However, the unpredictable nature of the earthquakes also poses challenges for the community.
Efforts to mitigate the impact of the earthquakes on the town's infrastructure have been ongoing for years. Buildings have been retrofitted to withstand the tremors, and early warning systems have been implemented to alert residents to impending seismic events. Despite these measures, the uncertainty surrounding the earthquakes continues to weigh on the minds of Summerville's inhabitants.
The Future of Seismic Research
As researchers continue to investigate the mysteries of Summerville's seismic activity, the town remains a focal point for scientific exploration and discovery. The unique patterns and behaviors observed in the region's earthquakes offer valuable insights into the complexities of seismic phenomena and challenge conventional understanding.
Advancements in technology and data analysis have opened new avenues for research, allowing scientists to explore previously uncharted territory in the field of seismology. The findings from Summerville could potentially revolutionize the way we understand and predict earthquakes, with implications that extend far beyond the town's borders.
Conclusion
In the heart of the American Midwest, the small town of Summerville stands as a testament to the mysteries that still exist beneath the Earth's surface. Its unusual seismic activity, characterized by its odd P-waves and S-waves, challenges conventional understanding and invites researchers to explore the complexities of the natural world. As scientists continue to unravel the enigma of Summerville, the town remains a beacon of discovery, a place where the mysteries of the Earth are brought to light, one tremor at a time.
Well that's... Definitely something. Charlie had a basically understanding of seismic activity, granted he had never been drawn to it but he had enough knowledge to grasp that Summerville is.... Bizarre.
Over the final day of their journey Charlie kept researching the seismic activity around Summerville. This town was certainly an enigma. As he was looking at seismic activity maps the road became very bumpy all of a sudden.
Charlie looked up to see a huge delapidated manor at the end of the dirt road they had just turned onto. Surrounding it was a huge area of dry dead grass and some freshly dug up dirt closer to the house.
As they came to a halt Jean immediately dashed out the car to look at the perimeter. But his mother just leant over the back seat.
"Charlie, are you ok? This is a big change and we wouldn't have made it if we didn't have to."
Charlie just gave a non committal nod and slunk out the car. His mother went straight for the front door. She rattled the handle which didn't go anywhere.
"Oh for goodness sake.... Charlie? Be a dear and break into your grandfather's house for me?"
Charlie fished in his bag for the things he needed and leant down to pick the lock. All while his mother was muttering something about needing a gin.
After the last pin in the lock popped up, Charlie was able to swing the door open without causing too much damage.