What Happened in New Madrid?

By Robert Palmer

In the winter of 1811-1812, a series of violent earthquakes shook the town of New Madrid, Missouri. These quakes were some of the most powerful ever recorded in North America, and their effects were felt as far away as New York City and Washington D.C.

The first quake struck on December 16, 1811. It was followed by two more on December 23 and January 23. Each quake was estimated to be at least a magnitude of 7.5 or greater on the Richter scale.

The impact of these quakes was devastating. They caused the Mississippi River to flow backward briefly, created new lakes and waterfalls, and even caused church bells to ring in Boston. The town of New Madrid itself suffered significant damage, with many buildings collapsing and people being thrown from their beds.

In addition to the immediate destruction caused by the quakes themselves, there were also secondary effects that lasted for years afterward. The land around New Madrid sank several feet in some places, while other areas were uplifted. This led to changes in the course of rivers and streams, as well as changes in the local ecology.

Scientists today still study the New Madrid earthquakes to better understand their causes and potential future impacts. While it is impossible to predict exactly when another earthquake will occur in this area, it is known that seismic activity is still ongoing along this fault line.

If you are ever visiting Missouri or any area along the Mississippi River valley region be sure to check out any historical sites related to this event!