When Was the Big Earthquake on the New Madrid Fault?

By Robert Palmer

The New Madrid fault is a seismic zone located in the central United States, stretching from northeastern Arkansas to southern Illinois. It’s named after the town of New Madrid, Missouri, where it caused a series of devastating earthquakes in the early 19th century.

One of the most significant earthquakes on the New Madrid fault occurred on December 16, 1811. It was the first in a series of four major quakes that hit the area over several months.

The Big One

The largest and most destructive earthquake of this series happened on February 7, 1812. This event is often referred to as “The Big One” and is estimated to have had a magnitude of between 7.5 and 8.0 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake was felt across much of the eastern United States, with reports of shaking felt as far away as Boston, Massachusetts and Charleston, South Carolina. The epicenter was located near what is now the town of New Madrid, Missouri.

Impact

The impact of The Big One on the region was devastating. It caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure in several states including Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana.

The earthquake also triggered numerous landslides along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. These landslides created large waves that swept away boats and buildings along the riverbanks.

Aftermath

Despite its severity, The Big One resulted in relatively few deaths compared to other major earthquakes around the world. However, it did cause significant disruption to people’s lives in affected areas.

In addition to physical damage caused by shaking and landslides, The Big One also resulted in changes to local geography. Some areas experienced uplift or subsidence due to movement along fault lines.

Conclusion

In summary, The Big One on the New Madrid fault occurred on February 7, 1812. It was one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in the United States and had a significant impact on the region. Although it happened over two hundred years ago, it serves as a reminder of the potential for seismic activity in unexpected places.