A Swarm of Earthquakes Strikes the New Madrid Fault Line in the Midwest
A series of eight earthquakes struck the New Madrid fault line in the Midwest, which stretches through Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois, between December 6 and 11. The largest quakes, measuring 3.0 and 2.6, occurred near Howardville, Missouri, and the rest measured roughly magnitude 2. These small earthquakes may seem insignificant, but scientists warn that the fault line is overdue for a major quake.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) has a 40% chance of producing a magnitude 7 or higher earthquake in the next 50 years. The likelihood of such an event increases with each passing year, making it crucial for residents in the affected areas to be prepared.
The NMSZ has not experienced a significant quake in over 200 years, since the last powerful seismic activity occurred between 1811 and 1812. During that period, three quakes of magnitude 7 to 8 struck, destroying settlements and dramatically affecting the landscape.
Experts believe that a magnitude 8 quake in this region could be catastrophic, potentially killing thousands, destroying bridges and highways, and causing oil and gas pipelines to break. The most significant destruction would occur in St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, and would likely cause nationwide disruptions.
While the recent earthquake swarm is not a guarantee of a larger quake, it highlights the importance of being prepared. The Missouri Department of Safety warns that every year that passes increases the likelihood of a major seismic event.
The 150-mile-long NMSZ is one of the most active seismic zones east of the Rocky Mountains, and swarm-like activity is common. Scientists are still working to understand the causes of earthquake swarms, with theories including gradual fault line slippage and magma pushing up into the Earth’s crust.
However, the focus on earthquake preparedness in the United States has primarily been on California, with its 800-mile-long San Andreas fault. As a result, experts in Missouri and other states on the NMSZ have struggled to convince officials and the public to take necessary precautions.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources stresses that the impact of an earthquake in this region could be more widespread than on the West Coast, as the bedrock in the central United States allows earthquakes to affect a larger area. With a 50-year window to prepare, residents in the affected areas must take necessary steps to reduce their risk and mitigate the effects of a potential major seismic event.