Seven Earthquakes Recorded Near New Madrid Fault Line
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Emergency management officials report a series of seven earthquakes have occurred along the New Madrid fault line, with tremors detected in Missouri and Tennessee.
According to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), five of the quakes were centered near Marston, Missouri, while two were recorded near Ridgely, Tennessee. All seismic events registered a magnitude of 1.0 or higher. While such minor earthquakes are often undetectable by humans, they are typically recorded by seismographs, as explained by Michigan Technological University. The institution notes that millions of earthquakes below a magnitude of 2.5 occur globally each year.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources highlights that cities like Evansville are located within this seismically active region. While hundreds of small earthquakes are recorded annually in the area, most are imperceptible without specialized equipment.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provided a detailed breakdown of the recent earthquakes, specifying their locations, magnitudes, and times:
- December 9
- Marston, MO – Magnitude 2.2 at 7:30 a.m.
- Howardville, MO – Magnitude 1.9 at 6:25 a.m.
- Ridgely, TN – Magnitude 1.8 at 5:31 a.m.
- Howardville, MO – Magnitude 3.0 at 4:27 a.m.
- Howardville, MO – Magnitude 2.1 at 12:27 a.m.
- Matthews, MO – Magnitude 2.2 at 12:08 a.m.
- Hayward, MO – Magnitude 2.0 at 12:00 a.m.
Officials continue to monitor the seismic activity in the region, as the New Madrid fault line is known for its potential to produce larger earthquakes.