New Madrid Fault Zone Rumblings

2009/06/16
MAG 2.1 ( 3 mi) SE of Caraway, AR

2009/06/13
MAG 1.8 ( 3 mi) SSW of Tiptonville, TN

2009/06/13
MAG 2.3 ( 6 mi) S of Equality, IL

Click here for USGS details.

Note this week's quake activity in Oklahoma and the Northeast.

The USGS estimates that a 25%-40% chance of a magnitude 6.0 + quake occurring within 50 years within the New Madrid fault zone. The illustration below compares the impact zone of a quake in California vs. a similar quake in the New Madrid zone. The geological structure in the New Madrid zone magnifies the level of destruction of the quake event.

Color code:

Red= damage reported in 1895 magnitude 6.8 quake

Tan= shaking reported in 1895 magnitude 6.8 quake