I recall reading of peculiar atmospheric effects preceding the big New Madrid quakes in the early 1800’s, but it didn’t involve anything like lightning. Wish I could remember the author, but he described a dark, oppressive pall, referred to it as a miasma, with odd odors. Can’t recall where it was, but Cape Girardeau springs to memory.
Of course, the fault system underlies parts of the riverbed itself, so that could explain part of it, odors and miasmas. But, not the unnatural, disturbing darkness described.
Strange smells at New Madrid, MO.
Probably sulphur and methane from rotted vegetation exposed to the air from cracks. People reported seeing the land roll in 5 foot high waves, and forests falling over as if they were mowed down. Three huge 8 plus quakes in 1811 and 1812, plus thousands of smaller ones like 6 and 7. There was also one in 1812 that killed about 20,000 people in Venezuela.