What Was the Last Major Earthquake to Happen on the New Madrid Fault?

By Michael Ferguson

The New Madrid Fault is a geological feature located in the central United States. It spans several states, including Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee.

The fault has a long history of seismic activity and has been the site of numerous earthquakes over the years. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the last major earthquake to occur on the New Madrid Fault.

Background

The New Madrid Fault is named after the town of New Madrid, Missouri, which is located near the center of the fault line. The fault was first identified in 1811 when a series of powerful earthquakes struck the region. These earthquakes were among the most powerful ever recorded in North America and caused widespread damage throughout the region.

Since those initial earthquakes in 1811 and 1812, there have been several other notable seismic events along the New Madrid Fault. These include earthquakes in 1843, 1895, and 1927.

The Last Major Earthquake

The last major earthquake to occur on the New Madrid Fault was on February 7th, 1812. This earthquake had an estimated magnitude of between 7.5 and 8.0 on the Richter Scale and was one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in North America.

The earthquake was felt across a vast area that included parts of present-day Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana. It caused widespread damage to homes and other structures throughout this region.

Effects of the Earthquake

The effects of this earthquake were felt for years afterward. In addition to causing significant damage to homes and other structures throughout the region, it also caused changes to local waterways. The earthquake created new lakes where none had existed before and altered existing waterways.

One notable effect of this earthquake was that it reversed the flow of portions of the Mississippi River. For a period of time after the earthquake, the river flowed backward in certain areas.

Conclusion

The last major earthquake on the New Madrid Fault occurred in 1812 and had a magnitude of between 7.0 on the Richter Scale. It caused widespread damage throughout the region and was felt across a vast area. Although there have been other earthquakes along this fault line in the years since, none have matched the power or impact of this historic event.