The New Madrid Act, also known as the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), is a region in the central United States that has experienced numerous earthquakes throughout history. It is named after the city of New Madrid, Missouri, which was the site of the largest earthquake ever recorded in North America east of the Rocky Mountains.
History
The NMSZ is located in the Mississippi River Valley and extends from northeastern Arkansas to southern Illinois. The zone was formed around 500 million years ago when North America was undergoing tectonic plate movements.
However, it wasn’t until 1811-1812 that the region became well-known for its seismic activity. During this time period, four large earthquakes struck the area, with magnitudes estimated to be between 7.5 and 8.0 on the Richter scale.
The Impact
These earthquakes caused widespread damage and were felt as far away as New York City and Boston. They created waves on the Mississippi River that caused it to flow backward for several hours, and even made church bells ring as far away as Charleston, South Carolina.
Since then, there have been several other significant earthquakes in the NMSZ, including one in 1843 that had a magnitude of 6.0 and one in 1895 with a magnitude of 6.7.
The New Madrid Act
In response to these quakes, Congress passed the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 which required states to identify areas at risk for earthquakes and develop plans to reduce damage and loss of life. The NMSZ was identified as a high-risk zone under this act.
Precautions
Today, many buildings in cities like Memphis and St. Louis are built to withstand earthquakes by incorporating special design features such as flexible foundations and shock absorbers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the New Madrid Act was a response to the high-risk seismic activity in the NMSZ. While earthquakes in this region are relatively infrequent, they have the potential to cause significant damage and loss of life. It is important for individuals and communities in this area to be prepared for such an eventuality.
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