Most discussions about earthquakes in the United States center around California and its San Andreas Fault, but a lesser-known area of seismic interest, the New Madrid Seismic Zone, could be at least as dangerous and is surprisingly located right in the middle of the country. In the wake of the recent earthquakes in southern California, CNN has a well-written article with historical background on previous quakes and the possible impact of another major quake there.
Three large quakes happened in the winter of 1811-1812, and strong rumbles hit several times until near the end of the 19th century.
These quakes were felt keenly over more than 2 million square miles – people in Boston, Massachusetts, felt one or more of the three main quakes, the first of which struck in three shocks on the morning of December 16, 1811.
Two more large shocks struck the area – on January 23, 1812, and the largest and most devastating of all hit February 7, 1812, destroying the town of New Madrid.
By contrast, the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, California, was felt over 60,000 square miles.
