3 earthquakes – M2.8, M1.9 and M1.9 – hit Ridgely, Tennessee on May 19, 2016. The New Madrid seismic zone of southeast Missouri and adjacent States is the most seismically active in North America east of the Rockies and is currently overdue. The three earthquakes struck the exact same spot, 6.0 km (3.7 mi) ENE of Ridgely, Tennessee, within fifteen minutes. The first tremor – the strongest: M2.8 – occurred at 11:17 am (UTC) followed by two M1.9 quakes at 11:22 am (UTC) and 11:34 am (UTC).
During the winter of 1811-1812 three very large earthquakes devastated the area and were felt throughout most of the Nation. They occurred a few weeks apart on December 16, January 23, and February 7. Hundreds of aftershocks continued for years. Since 1900, moderately damaging earthquakes have struck the seismic zone every few decades. About twice a year people feel still smaller earthquakes that do not cause damage. READ MORE
