ST. LOUIS — Rare frost quakes, also known as cryoseisms or ice quakes, were reported throughout the St. Louis region on Monday.

Frost quakes occur after temperatures rapidly drop, causing underground water to freeze or expand in soil or rock, and often lead to loud cracking or booming sounds due to increased pressure.

Residents in Fenton, Missouri, reported hearing a booming sound and even a potential earthquake as a result of the cryoseims.

Frost quakes have the potential to replicate a small, non-threatening earthquake but have relatively low impact and may not appear on seismographs that track earthquakes.