(WDRB) – The New Madrid Earthquakes from 1811-1812 did cause physical damage but also changed the topography of the Mississippi River Valley and surrounding areas. The exact magnitude of the earthquakes, damage and death totals and precise details are unknown. However, an accepted value is that the five largest earthquakes, which happened between December 16, 1811, and February 7, 1812, were over magnitude 7.0. Researchers believe that there were two earthquakes in Arkansas, two in Missouri, and one in Mississippi. These earthquakes did not cause much damage or death in 1812, but if earthquakes of this magnitude occurred now, the damage would be catastrophic. As such, it is important to know if something of that magnitude is even possible in the current landscape.
It is also critical to analyze the measures being taken in major cities along the New Madrid fault to guard against earthquake damage in the future. The image below from the U.S. Geological Survey shows earthquake activity along and around the New Madrid fault. Because this disaster happened over 200 years ago, records of the event are limited, and accuracy cannot be proven. In addition, because this event occurred at a time in history when cities were less populated and there were fewer cities in this area overall, the reports of damage and death are minimal. Reports indicate that between December 1811 and March 1812, there were over 2000 earthquakes and aftershocks along the New Madrid fault. The largest earthquakes were over magnitude 7.0, with some reports suggesting they were over magnitude 8.0. READ MORE
