Geological Survey Program
Earthquakes in Missouri
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Earthquakes occur in our state
Missourians experience small earthquakes daily. This is especially true in southeast Missouri. The size of these earthquakes are in the range of magnitude 1.0 and 2.0 which means that they rarely are felt by humans; but they can be recorded on devices that measure the earth's movement. These earthquakes are evidence that a seismically active fault system is present in the southeastern portion of our state. This system is called the New Madrid Seismic Zone and it extends through a multi-state area. The movement along this fault system occurs thousands of feet below ground surface. However, because of both the extent and depth of this fault, it has the potential to cause damage and impacts across a large area of the central United States.
Geologic studies indicate that large earthquakes occurred along the New Madrid Seismic Zone in approximately 300 AD, 900 AD, and 1400 AD. Most Missourians have heard of the more recent 1811-1812 flurry of quakes that were in the range of magnitude 7-8 and centered near New Madrid, Missouri. Because few people lived in Missouri in the early 1800s, impact to human life was minimal. The three major earthquakes in late 1811 and early 1812, however, did permanently change the course of the Mississippi River and created the Reelfoot Lake in the northwest corner of Tennessee.
Missourians should be aware of the reality of earthquake hazards in our state. However, we must also understand that an earthquake measuring as large as magnitude 10.5 as depicted in disaster films, are probably only fiction. Some scientists predict that there is about a 10 percent chance of a magnitude 7-8 earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone in a 50 year time interval; which is a more realistic estimation of the size of a large earthquake that may occur in our state. The most valuable lesson we can learn from watching natural disaster movies is that knowledge and preparation are key. We should channel the energy associated with an increased awareness level into positive activities that will help prepare for actual earthquake risk associated with the New Madrid Seismic Zone. The Division of Geology and Land Survey has worked cooperatively with the U.S. Geological Survey for several decades to increase the knowledge base about earthquakes in the central United States.
Missourians observe Earthquake Awareness Month each February
Each February, geologists with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources partner with local, state and federal agencies and organizations by participating in a number of public activities by providing scientific data about the New Madrid Seismic Zone, mapping for risk assessment, and geologic information about the basics of earthquakes. We will post information about public events intended to raise awareness about earthquake hazard in Missouri. Check out the activities from 2013.
Join us for the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut – Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 at 10:15 a.m.
We hope you joined us by participating in the 2013 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut! Plan to participate Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 in the next ShakeOut exercise. In the meantime, you and your family can practice how to protect yourselves during earthquakes by DROPPING to the ground, taking COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and HOLDING ON!
Visit the ShakeOut website for more information about preparedness and to register for the 2014 exercise.
Earthquake Facts
- Facts About New Madrid Seismic Zone
- History of Earthquakes in Missouri
- Understanding Earthquakes
- Measuring Earthquakes
- Relationship of Increasing Magnitudes
- Relationship Between Richter Magnitude and Modified Mercalli Intensity
- Recent Earthquakes in Central US
- What to do before, during and after an earthquake
- Earthquake Hazard in the New Madrid Seismic Zone Remains a Concern
- Eyewitness Accounts of the 1811-12 New Madrid Earthquakes
- Did you feel it?
- Missouri Seismic Safety Commission
- Additional Links
More Educational Videos
In the News
- Joe Gillman, state geologist and Geology and Land Survey Division director, MoDNR, is coordinator for the Association of Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) State Geologists.
- Read the POPSCI article announcing EarthScope as one of the Universe's Ten Most Epic Projects.
- Arkansas earthquakes – Recent activity in Arkansas. Updates from the Arkansas Geological Survey.
- National Level Exercise 2011 held May 16-20 – In 2011, the bicentennial of the great New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812, Missourians took part in a five-day training exercise focused on a coordinated local, state and federal response to a magnitude 7.7 New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) earthquake.
Articles, fact sheets, maps and more
- Earthquake Hazard in the New Madrid Seismic Zone Remains a Concern
There is broad agreement in the scientific community that a continuing concern exists for a major destructive earthquake in the New madrid Seismic Zone. - Explore the suite of animations and interactive rollovers from Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology.
- Earthquakes in the News A list of news articles (searchable) compiled by the Central United States Earthquake
Consortium. - Make a commitment to being "Earthquake Prepared" – From MEI, a publication by Associated Industries of Missouri.
- Earthquake Hazards Maps
Projects and Partners
- St. Louis Earthquake Hazard Mapping Project
- Central United States Earthquake Consortium
- Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI)
- State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
- St. Louis University Earthquake Center
Tools and Locators 
- Did you feel it? – Report an earthquake to the U.S. Geological Survey
- Permanent Seismic Stations in Missouri
- Magnitude Calculator – A magnitude 8 earthquake is 1,000 times BIGGER on a seismogram than a magnitude 5 earthquake. Try it yourself.
- EarthScope Seismographs in Missouri – The USArray Transportable Array – A program of the National Science Foundation, consisting of various experiments to examine the seismicity of the North American Continent.
