Artificial Earthquakes Planned near Memphis Monday Night

Associated Press ^ | October 28, 2002

[HAL9000]

MEMPHIS (AP) -- Scientists will be creating artificial earthquakes Monday night by detonating explosives in the New Madrid Seismic Zone near Memphis.

Scientists for the Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis and the U.S. Geological Survey will study the artificial waves. They're trying to discover how the ground shakes during an earthquake.

Officials say the information gathered will produce a "shake" map that will show where the most vulnerable areas of the fault are for emergency personnel.

The experiment is scheduled between 10:00 p.m. (Central) and 3:00 a.m. at Marked Tree, Arkansas, about 35 miles northwest of Memphis.

It's expected the blasts will register about 2.0 on the Richter scale.

Scientists say the blasts are similar in magnitude to those used in construction projects. They say the waves will not be felt in Memphis and will not damage any structures near the experiment.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[HAL9000]

I hope it doesn't go horribly wrong.

[Paul Atreides]

When I read the title, I thought it meant that some frat guys were going to go Gore-tipping.

[kellynla]

Could save them a bunch of money...just come out to CA...we have tremors on a daily basis...BTW a 2.0 is not an earthquake out here...that's just a tremor

[Lloyd227]

"...detonating explosives in the New Madrid Seismic Zone ..."

Something about this just sounds inherently wrong.

[Poohbah]

"...detonating explosives in the New Madrid Seismic Zone ..."

Something about this just sounds inherently wrong.

As long as the chief geologist doesn't shout, "Hold muh beer AND WATCH THIS!" instead of "FIRE IN THE HOLE!" it'll be OK.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Too late... I hear Former Attorney General Janet Reno will be the main speaker at the press conference...

[berkeleybeej]

and will not damage any structures near the experiment.

Hope they've got their insurance paid up.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Why do I have this horrible feeling that tomorrow we'll all be reading one of those "Here hold muhhh size-mer-graf"!

TMMT

[Dog Gone]

In a related story, scientists are kicking over lanterns in a barn near Chicago to learn how devastating urban fires spread....

[FreedomPoster]

LOL; read article, and see #5.

[Jonah Hex]

And an Iraqi laboratory is looking into what happens when you slam two chunks of U-235 together.

A "Here, hold my burkha" alert!

[rmlew]

It is important that this area is studied.
The last major earthquake was an 8 or 9 and occured around 1808. It changed the course of the Mississippi in many areas.
One of those today would devastate everything from St. Louis to New Orleans.

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!
This has come about after much badgering by you, my friends and extended family...

[berkeleybeej]

LOL

[TBall]

This sounds like a great idea. Lets play with that fire.

[txhurl]

loMFl! We'll see this scientific crew in Jackasses 2.

[XLurk]

THE ONLY RELEVANT QUESTION:
Who's tax dollars are paying for this stupidity?

(This is wonderful - I'm cutting/pasting the same response to multiple threads tonight - saving lotsa time...)

[avg_freeper]

You don't want to hear them say oops.

[texas booster]

What was the name of that movie where scientists caused an earthquake that split the world in half? Back in the early 70's, IIRC.

It seems that bad science will never learn.

[ActionNewsBill]

What was the name of that movie where scientists caused an earthquake that split the world in half?

"The Day The World Split In Half"?

But seriesly, folks, I think it was "Crack In The World".