Posted on 03/26/2005 9:06:55 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
Experts: Central U.S. Could Have Quakes
By RAINER SABIN Associated Press Writer
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Two earthquake experts say the quake that produced the deadly tsunami in the Indian Ocean in December should remind residents of the central United States that they live in an area where a devastating quake could occur.
Haydar Al-Shukri, a professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and Harley Benz, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist, cite a 4.2-magnitude earthquake last month at Caraway in northeast Arkansas as another piece of evidence of activity along the New Madrid fault line.
"We have the USGS and others in the area that have been worried about and monitoring the New Madrid System for a long time," said Benz, who runs the National Earthquake Information Center for the USGS. "We know it has produced large earthquakes in the past."
Benz was referring to three massive earthquakes in southeast Missouri in 1811 and 1812 that are now assigned magnitudes of more than 8.0. The New Madrid fault system that produced them extends 150 miles southward from Cairo, Ill. into northeast Arkansas and includes parts of Kentucky.
"The area over which you can have damage is much larger than in tectonic reactive areas like California," Benz said. "The impact of an earthquake like that can be quite different."
Al-Shukri said that, while there have not been any damaging earthquakes in the region since the turn of the 20th century, residents in the Midwest and the South need to be aware of the risks.
Benz was in Little Rock on Friday to discuss the lessons learned from the tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia on Dec. 26. He said the lack of precautionary measures in some of that region's countries made the tsunami's impact much greater.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Yup. Southern Indiana has awaited their "big one" for quite a while.
No need for "expert" opinion on this.
The New Madrid Fault is old news.
BREAKING!: Cleveland still quiet. Citiizens patiently awaiting AP/Newsday disaster.
Somehow I doubt middle America will see a tsunami though. We have had earthquakes before.
L
At least here in So. California, everything is built knowing it is going to get bounced from time to time. Lightweight frame construction may be no good for tornados, but it's a lot more flexible when the shaking starts. And a little rebar goes a long way in keeping haevy construction materials stable.
The person who made that prediction was a kook without the slightest knowledge or training in geology or seismology.
Oh well, no biggie, they both publish bull___
Who made that "prediction," some new age astrologer nut?
"Some people left the area during this time."
If you know any of 'em personally, tell 'em to Freepmail me -- I have a great plot of land on the Gaza Strip I'd like to sell.
Dude, you're from Illinois. I thought you, of all people, should know that the New Madrid Fault poses a threat to your state.
LOLOL. Well done.
Didn't they ever hear of the New Madrid quake of 1811? (See: The Big One" by Page and Officer)
Your daily dose of fear-mongering. You will never see a tsunami in Missouri. I guarantee it. A major earthquake with major damage? Maybe. But it will all take place on terra not-so-firma and if/when it ever happens it will just mean some debris-removal and some firming up of a lot of structures. It won't rival the tsunami in devastation because there are no massive bodies of water nearby.
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