The threat of large earthquakes striking the new madrid seismic zone remains all too real for people in st. The lost history of the new madrid earthquakes by conevery. Scientists tell us that the new madrid fault is about 30 years overdue for a major event, and because of the nature of the earths crust in that part of the country, a major earthquake would do significant damage all the way to the east coast. Louis, originated in the wabash valley fault, not the betterknown and. An earthquake prompted by the new madrid seismic fault line occurs at 3. Larger earthquakes are represented by larger circles. The national level exercise nle that is being conducted in the area by fema in order to simulate the catastrophic nature of a major earthquake in the central united states region of the new madrid seismic zone. New madrid seismic zone quaternary fault localities. The new madrid fault system was responsible for the 181112 new madrid earthquakes and has the potential to produce large earthquakes in the future. Its all breathless, but the bottom line may be that it was just a couple of chimneys. Seismographs are instruments that record the earths movement.
Strange happenings during the earthquakes new madrid, mo. New data confirms strong earthquake risk to central us, jun 22, 2005 strain is building on a fault near memphis, tennessee that was the site of a magnitude 8. New madrid earthquake caused river to run backward the new madrid fault line is best known for some of the most violent earthquakes to ever hit the u. The maps and other graphics alone are worth it, imho. New madrid fault line could unleash catastrophic midwest. And earthquakes in the central united states tend to be smaller. On shaky ground also traces the history of the founding of new madrid and considers the impact of the earthquakes on population and land in southeast missouri. Until 2014, when the dramatic increase in earthquake. Amazon business card corporate credit line shop with points. New madrid earthquake museum the most violent earthquake in nonalaskan american history struck new madrid on february 7, 1812.
About one billion years ago the continent began to rift apart in this region, but the rifting never completed. The new madrid fault system earthquake activity in the new madrid region is concentrated in an area of weak ancient crust called the reelfoot rift. Topographic map showing earthquakes greater than magnitude 2. The following map shows earthquakes that have been recorded from that fault since 1974. The resulting rift system failed but has remained as an aulacogen a scar or zone of weakness deep underground. Earthquakes with magnitudes equal to or larger than 2. The 18111812 events were some of the largest in the united states since its settlement by europeans, and the nmsz spans portions of seven states. Shallow earthquakes equate to more violent shaking on the surface due to having much less insulation to absorb the seismic waves being thrust out from the earthquake s epicenter. New madrid fault zone not dead yet january 24, 2014 11. Covering the history of the new madrid earthquakes. New madrid gets the shakes maybe 200 times a year, about a tenth the number in california.
Articles, maps, and information on the new madrid fault zone or system and the great new madrid earthquakes of 18111812, as well as recent seismic activity. Americas risk new madrid fault lines quake divide the u. Next new madrid earthquake is imminent strange sounds. Earthquakes, 181112 description of the new madrid earthquake courtesy of the tennessee historical society between middecember 1811 and midmarch 1812 a series of catastrophic earthquakes shook west tennessee and the rest of the central mississippi valley. The new madrid seismic zone, sometimes called the new madrid fault line, is a major seismic zone and a prolific source of intraplate earthquakes in the southern and midwestern united states, stretching to the southwest from new madrid, missouri. I was interested in finding out more about the new madrid earthquake fault and this book was recommended. New madrid earthquakes still threaten the central united. To the surprise of many, the earthquake on april 18, 2008, about 120 miles east of st. Although we typically think of earthquakes as specific to certain regions such as california, we, in the midwest, have one of the most active earthquake faults in the country the new madras fault. The new madrid seismic zone nmsz is made up of reactivated faults that formed when. Seth stein, the leader of the research group, published these views in a book, disaster deferred, in 2008. The english king james version bible code part 8c a giant earthquake on the new madrid fault line in the central u. Not many people lived there at the time, but it merits a lot of attention in the local museum. Two hundred thirtysix earthquakes that measured between magnitude 2.
Even with the conflicting theories, the 500year rule from the usgs does give us hope since the last major 7. The result of this will be a flooded fault line, which is the most sure fire and fool proof way to generate a man made earthquake. I told a preacher friend of mine and he called me back later that day and said. The new madrid fault zone in central united states is active and could spawn large earthquakes as large as those between 1811 and 1812, scientists reported thursday. Very well researched book on the new madrid fault line. So began the new madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812. I was hoping to feel some tremors at least, she was afraid that it would actually happen. The book describes land deformations from the quakes that may not be obvious to a. Three of the earthquakes are on the list of americas top earthquakes. Earthquake in illinois could portend an emerging threat. The new madrid fault appears to have a big rupture every 300 years or so. The movement along the fault system in the nmsz occurs thousands of feet below ground surface. The source of all this anxiety is the fabled new madrid seismic zone.
An earthquake hit the new madrid fault and is followed by several aftershocks. But earthquakes also happen in the eastern and central u. The simulation is based on a detailed geologic model of the central u. A 19thcentury print of new madrid earthquake chaos. Unlike fault lines that tear rocky outcrops, the new madrid earthquakes left. The new madrid seismic zone sometimes called the new madrid fault line, is a major seismic. Judging from reports and eyewitness accounts, the quakes would have measured among the. The 181112 new madrid earthquakes were a series of intense intraplate earthquakes. The book contains plenty of factual and historical data on the new madrid fault as well as information on other earthquakes throughout recorded history in other parts of the world. The author wrote it about 100 years after the earthquake of 181112, so he had to depend a lot on the observations of the few people who had written them down.
Experts say were overdue for a 6 like the one in 1895 which shook down buildings in the charleston, mo. Chronicles many of the major earthquakes including the 18111812 quakes that rerouted the missippi. The fault line runs some 150 miles from marked tree, arkansas. Living in the path of the new madrid line, there is much recognition in locations. Blue circles are earthquakes that occurred before 1973. The epicenter is determined in the bootheel of missouri. The quakes struck the new madrid fault zone 200 kilometres south of. Dinosaur southeast missouri dinosaurs were trapped in an earthquake fault west of. Two additional earthquakes of similar magnitude followed in january and february 1812. This animation shows the simulated ground motion of the earths surface that could occur in the central u. From cairo, illinois down through new madrid, missouri and then on into arkansas.
The new madrid earthquakes of 18111812 missouri life magazine. Indiana sits near two major fault lines, one which has a. This prophecy details a massive earthquake on the new madrid fault line. Some of the details involved in this prophecy include an unzipping of the fault so powerful that itll split the river tens of miles wide open, destroying all bridges across it and preventing people, commerce, etc from passing east to. This book answers many of the mysteries surrounding these dramatic early. The new madrid earthquakes of 18111812 missouri heritage. Earthquakes in new madrid, missouri, united states most. Its by far the largest earthquake ever to strike the united states east of the rockies. Origins of new madrid fault mafic intrusions of plutons. The new madrid fault system is a series of faults several miles below the surface. The last big quake to hit the new madrid fault was a series of four in 1811 and 1812.
When people think of earthquakes in the united states, they tend to think of the west coast. You may not think of missouri as being at risk of a major earthquake, but in 181112, the new madrid seismic. There are 15 nuclear power plants in the new madrid fault zone that are of the same or similar design. The new madrid fault line essentially follows the mississippi river from illinois to arkansas. Computer simulations of earthquake shaking, replicating the quakes that occurred in 18111812 in the new madrid seismic zone nmsz, indicate that future large earthquakes there would produce major, prolonged ground shaking. The winter of 181112 experienced the greatest burst of seismic energy in the history of the original 48 states. Good information especially if you are teaching geology in the midwest. Earthquakes in missouri missouri department of natural. Predictions for future earthquakes along the new madrid fault, as well as instructions on preparing for and surviving a quake, are also included. The big ones of 181112 were probably 7s, accompanied by a few thousand smaller ones over 46 months. If a strong new madrid earthquake, with a magnitude equal to the historic 18111812 earthquakes 7. And there is worse news yet, the fault line offers up extremely shallow earthquakes. An earthquake prompted by the new madrid seismic fault line occurs at 3 and 15 miles depth. The 18111812 new madrid earthquake sequence was preceded by at least two other similar sequences in about a.
Such a strong earthquake would rock the entire eastern half of the. A new madrid earthquake is coming and america will be. As many as 20 glaciers illinois state museum came and went. The continents played tugofwar a few hundred million years ago. It also has some relevant, valuable data on how it will affect the areas and people involved should there be a major earthquake. The new madrid fault system was responsible for the 181112 new madrid earthquakes, an intense intraplate earthquake series that began with an initial earthquake of moment magnitude 7. The new madrid earthquake that will divide the united. Pronunciation of new madrid fault with 2 audio pronunciations, 1 meaning, translations and more for new madrid fault. Earthquake science, and the disaster that created it duration.
Predictions for future earthquakes along the new madrid fault, as well as instructions on. Louis, mo and memphis, tn and little has been done to prepare these large cities, let alone the varies smaller cities and towns surrounding the area, to sustain an earthquake of this size or even a smaller one. In the winter of 1811 and 1812, three earthquakes of magnitude 7, and possibly as high as 7. The new madrid seismic zone, also known as the reelfoot rift or the new madrid fault line, is a major seismic zone located in the midwestern united states.
In the known history of the world, no other earthquakes have lasted so long or produced so much evidence of damage as the new madrid earthquakes. Here are the seismic fault lines you probably dont know about. New madrid earthquakes still threaten the central united states, scientists conclude. Earthquake safety tips new madrid, mo official website. This is an unabridged reprint of the first book and first thorough scientific work ever published on the great new madrid earthquakes of 181112. Since 1812, frequent smaller earthquakes have been recorded in the area. New madrid fault system seismic earthquake zone fault line activity nmsz quake map. New simulations of 18111812 new madrid earthquakes show. Red circles are earthquakes that occurred after 1972. Research also indicates that other large earthquakes have occurred in the region surrounding the main new madrid seismicity trends in the past 5,000 years or so. S the bible code is a way of looking for hidden prophecies and passages in the bible, by using a software program to search for. Federal emergency management agency warned that a serious earthquake in the new madrid seismic zone could result in the highest economic losses due to a natural disaster in the united states, further predicting widespread and catastrophic damage across alabama, arkansas, illinois, indiana.