Posted on 12/27/2004 4:53:25 AM PST by Rebelbase
THE NEW MADRID FAULT SYSTEM EXTENDS 120 MILES SOUTHWARD from the area of Charleston, Missouri, and Cairo, Illinois, through New Madrid and Caruthersville, following Interstate 55 to Blytheville and on down to Marked Tree, Arkansas. It crosses five state lines and cuts across the Mississippi River in three places and the Ohio River in two places.
THE FAULT IS ACTIVE, AVERAGING MORE THAN 200 MEASURED EVENTS per YEAR (1.0 or more on the Richter scale), about 20 per month. Tremors large enough to be felt (2.5 - 3.0 on the Richter scale) are noted annually. Every 18 months the fault releases a shock of 4.0 or more, capable of local minor damage. The most recent registering 4.3 along the New Madrid Fault on Thanksgiving evening, 1996, which was felt by citizens in the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, Illinois and Mississippi. Magnitudes of 5.0 or greater occurring about once per decade, can do significant damage, and be felt in several states.
THE HIGHEST EARTHQUAKE RISK in the UNITED STATES outside the West Coast is along the New Madrid Fault. Damaging tremors are not as frequent as in California, but when they occur, the destruction covers over more than 20 times the area because of underlying geology.
A DAMAGING EARTHQUAKE in this AREA, 6.0 or greater, occur about every 80 years (the last one in 1895). The results would cause serious damage to schools and masonry buildings from Memphis to St Louis.
A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE in this AREA, 7.5 or greater, happens every 200- 300 years (the last one in 1812). There is a 25% chance by 2040. A New Madrid Fault rupture this size would be felt throughout half the United States and damage 20 states or more. Missouri alone could anticipate losses of at least $6 billion from such an event.
THE GREAT NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKE OF 1811-1812 was actually a series of over 2000 shocks in five months, five of which were 8.0 or more in magnitude. Eighteen of these rang church bells on the Eastern seaboard. The very land itself was destroyed in the Missouri Bootheel, making it unfit even for farmers for many years. It was the largest burst of seismic energy east of the Rocky Mountains in the history of the United States and was several times larger than the San Francisco quake of 1905.
Global warming,hurricanes, and now Tsunami's poised to hit the east coast! My next door neighbor keeps a 14ft john boat secured to the roof of his house w/a 14 day supply of mre's. Is this a good idea? Panicked in Tampa
New Madrid Earthquakes 1975-1995
This is map scale emphasizes the New Madrid region itself, e.g., you can see the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers at Cairo in the upper right, the bootheel of Missouri, and Memphis at the bottom of the map. The linear features of seismicity run from Cairo, IL to Marston, MO, then to Ridgely, TN, then beneath Blytheville, AR to Marked Tree AR. There is a slight pattern going west of Marston, MO toward Malden, MO
Interesting...but I still think you're much more likely to die in a car accident.
Sounds like time for a "controlled burn," so to speak.
Knock some of that stuff down ahead of time.
Muttly would do it...for FREE !
eff u!! Not all of us in NY are libs
I would say the odds of another serious quake just went up after the Indonesian quake. Not coincidentally, the Indonesian quake follows by days, an 8.1 event in Antarctica.
Once the plates start to move, it appears to transfer and increase stresses in other parts. I wouldn't be surprised to see other quakes shortly. Particularly since the two recent quakes have been so strong. When an island like Sumatra moves 100 feet laterally in seconds, that release has to shift tremendous pressure elsewhere I would think.
The earthquake of 1811-12 caused great damage and cause the Ohio River to flow backwards in this area (WV). There are many stories of the disaster in local history books.
Back in 1952, Perry Co., OH had an earthquake that did 'moderate' damage....that's where our 'house' is. LOL...it'd be kinda 'funny' to have a quake hit my area and open up the coal vein that's claimed to be worth big $$$$.
FIAT= Fix It All the Time
I had a 124 Spyder Roadster. In the shop constantly. Rural Alabama garage had to send off to Italy for tools just to fix the darn thing.
The day I traded it in on a new Ford 4x4, smoke was billowing from under the dashboard as I parked it at the Ford dealership.
I parked the thing at the back of the place so they wouldn't see it.
One week later I saw it parked at the garage again.
Not that I doubt you, but I'd love to read up on the science on this issue. Got any science links? I've watched the discovery channel, et al, who claim that slide "could" do that. Obviously it's a worst case scenario. And yes, it's most certainly overblown. I would love to read up on any SCIENCE that supercedes "opinion". I assume this is about the Canary Islands issue. If it all goes at once, we certainly may have a problem, how big, shrug. Any suggestions welcome. Course, I'm happy that I work at 54 Feet and 7 miles from the east coast and Live at 1250 feet, 45 miles from the coast :). I could get home in time, hehe.
Live about 30 minutes from Altantic Ocean. Hope I'm called home before this happens.
You think so?
FIAT=Fix it Again, Tony! :)
Yes, indeed it was fun. However, it only worked for about two weeks out of every month then it would be back in the shop.
Sigh, yes -- that's what I witnessed across the board about the Spyder -- it was always having to be repaired. What a bummer.
bump
|
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
