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Learn about the history, geology, and seismicity of the New Madrid seismic zone, the most seismically active area east of the Rocky Mountains. See maps, images, and descriptions of the 1811-1812 earthquakes, liquefaction, and faults.
The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) ( / ˈmædrɪd / ), sometimes called the New Madrid Fault Line, is a major seismic zone and a prolific source of intraplate earthquakes (earthquakes within a tectonic plate) in the Southern and Midwestern United States, stretching to the southwest from New Madrid, Missouri .
Feb 1, 2022 · The New Madrid Seismic Zone sees regular activity. ... notes if the three fault segments in the seismic zone rupture in a single event, it could result in a 7.7 magnitude earthquake. ...
- Charles Dunlap
- Local Government And Community Reporter
The New Madrid seismic zone is a source of continuing small and moderate earthquakes and has a history of major earthquakes over the past 4,500 years. Scientists remain concerned about a major destructive earthquake in the region and do not lower the earthquake hazard assessment based on GPS data.
A 2004 HAZUS report prepared by FEMA, based on a 7.7 earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, estimates earthquake damages to be $296 billion dollars across the region and nearly 730,000 people displaced from their homes. In Missouri, the report estimates a direct economic loss of $69 billion dollars and nearly 87,000 damaged buildings.
The New Madrid fault zone (NMFZ) is a long-established weakness in the Earth’s crust in the central and eastern US where earthquakes have occurred for hundreds of millions of years. In 1811-1812, three large earthquakes (up to magnitude 7.5) caused severe damage to the area. 1 At the time, the region was sparsely populated; today it is a ...
