(3.7) Earthquake in (Missouri) Bootheel, no damage reported

[UpInArms]

Source: MissouriNet.com

A magnitude 3.7 earthquake was detected in southeast Missouri today – a reminder that the region is in the most geologically active zone east of the Rocky Mountains.

The earthquake, recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey at 1:37 p.m., happened 15 miles east-southeast of Sikeston and was felt as far north as Alton, Ill., and St. Peters, Mo.

“Given its relatively shallow depth of about 3.6 miles, and its magnitude, it’s no surprise that it was felt 200 kilometers away,” said Joe Gillman, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Geology and Land Survey Director and the state’s geologist. “It wouldn’t be surprising for it to be felt even further away.”

No damage was reported from the earthquake and DNR is continuing to work with the State Emergency Management Agency and the Center for Earthquake Information in Memphis, Tenn.

Read more: http://www.missourinet.com/2010/03/02/earthquake-in-bootheel-no-damage-reported/

[Socal31]

1. I dont think the scale here starts until 5.5 :)

[UpInArms]

3. from the link -

In the winter of 1811-1812, the NMSZ produced a series of earthquakes estimated at magnitude 7.0 or greater. The NMSZ, in southeastern Missouri, northeastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, western Kentucky and southern Illinois, is the nation’s most active seismic zone east of the Rocky Mountains. The fault cuts across the Mississippi River in three places and the Ohio River in two places.

strange place to have such an activity - not usually comparable to SoCal, but ...

[Hell Hath No Fury]

4. My Mom's farts could register a 3.7!

Ok, just having fun. :)

That area has had some of the country's biggest quakes -- wouldn't want to be there when the New Madrid fault goes. :scared:

[emmadoggy]

10. Maybe so, but

I find this little tidbit to be quite interesting (and scary)

Although earthquakes in the central and eastern United States are less frequent than in the western United States, they affect much larger areas. This is shown by two areas affected by earthquakes of similar magnitude-the 1895 Charleston, Missouri, earthquake in the New Madrid seismic zone and the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake. Red indicates minor to major damage to buildings and their contents. Yellow indicates shaking felt, but little or no damage to objects, such as dishes.

http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/prepare/factsheets/NewMadrid/



Add to that, the fact that buildings in the Midwest are not constructed to the same earthquake standards, and many are older. Plus, they talk a lot about "soil liquification" with Midwest earthquakes, which sounds bad to me, lol.

See also: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/events/1811-1812.php

[pleah]

2. K&R

[Ruby the Liberal]

5. I hope the New Madrid isn't waking up

That would be catastrophic if a strong one hit.

[Loki]

9. The New Madrid

will make the San Andreas look like an amateur. It will be devastating.

[im1013]

11. Ohhh, Don't say that!

I live near Memphis, TN and I'm a Floridian (ie: Not used to that whole ground shaking thing).

:scared:

[nickinSTL]

6. huh. Didn't notice it at all.

I was sitting at my desk at work at the time - In the St. Louis area, about 45 min. drive southeast of Alton.

[stevebreeze]

7. There was a small earthquake in IL just a couple of weeks ago

I have no idea if that means anything. It's just that events like that are typically years apart in the mid west to my memory.

[smirkymonkey]

12. One in Oklahoma a few days ago - very small, but still that many

in the midwest in such a short period of time is concerning.

[Dinger]

13. Yes It Is

I saw something on either the History Channel or Discovery a while back about the U.S. splitting in two, and it's starting to look like it was a copy of what is happening now.

[bluedigger]

8. We should cut off the USGS' funding!

When was the last time they gave us any GOOD news?

:shrug: