New Madrid?

[HeeBGBz]

Since this is my fault.

Actually it's the fault nearest me. I've been watching the graphs. There was a 4 pointer last week in Arkansas. There seems to be an increase in activity and I was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts on the big sleeper?

[BillZBubb]

1. Glad I'm not in that area.

When that baby pops, it's going to be a mess.

[HeeBGBz]

2. St Louis and Memphis particularly

The 1811-12 quakes were mofos.

[Ian David]

3. If it's strong enough, Boston is fucked, too

Back Bay.

Landfill.

Liquefaction.

Lovely.

[enid602]

4. New Madrid

I read once that downtown Memphis is also built on land reclaimed from the Mississippi. The last major quake along the New Madrid in the early 1800's toppled marble monuments and buildings being built in DC. Although Manhattan is built on sturdy bedrock, widespread use of unreinforced brick, combined with highrises built very close together (making for very little swaying room)could make for a tragedy there. Given that so much of Manhattan has been built post-WWII, they really should have introduced better earthquake safety construction laws.

[northzax]

18. you have to do the cost benefit analysis

the odds of an earthquake hitting New York City at any time in the lifespan of these buildings is very low, you can't engineer for everything.

[HeeBGBz]

5. Some of today's readings

[slutticus]

6. Funny you should bring this up

I'm moving to California in a couple of weeks, and my family is very concerned about the possibility of earthquakes there.

I told them that they are in MUCH more danger than I am (they live in TN), since the structures in California are designed for earthquakes. I'm not so sure about middle and western Tennessee.

I shudder to think what will become of Memphis after an 8.0.

[HeeBGBz]

7. Someone told me once

That Memphis was kind of built on sand or at least a very unstable ground consistancy.

[slutticus]

8. Yeah...it's all Mississippi Mud.

I remember hearing right after they built the pyramid arena that it started sinking into the foundation. But I can't find any links about it...

In any case, it's going to be a fucking disaster.

[VelmaD]

9. I have a novel about just that possibility...

it's called "8.4" by Peter Hernon. It's about a series of big quakes hitting on the New Madrid fault in rapid succession like they did back in the 1800s. It's a pretty good book though I'm not too sure how accurate the science is. I'll leave that up to you scientist-type people. :)

[Celebration]

10. ok I live in Memphis

How can I tell if there is a real increase in activity overall? I did feel a small earthquake a couple of months ago, and have felt two other ones in the past thirty years.

As for the topography-- most of Memphis is built on hard clay, which is reasonably earthquake resistant, however some is on loose soil--the closer you are to the river, the more likely it is to be on loose soil.

I hadn't heard that about the Pyramid. I will say this. There are a TON of people who have built expensive housing on Mud Island, and it is appropriately named. Never have I understood the mentality of people who would buy lots and build houses on an island made in the past sixty years from mud left by the river!!

Our house is on clay, but husband works downtown.

[kineneb]

11. Advice from a native Californio

look around on the web for earthquake preparedness info...helpful suggestions: remove objects like framed pictures, swords, etc. from above the head of your bed...know how to shut off gas/propane lines and know where the wrench is...get your house bolted down to its foundation...brick should be reinforced, that means chimneys, too...know where your first aid kit is...have some bottled water and extra food around...have a little cash on hand as well as medicines...stay away from plate glass windows if you feel a quake starting...expect severe disruption of normal activites

I was in the Bay Area during the Loma Prieta quake...

[smirkymonkey]

12. Kick

:kick:

[dogindia]

13. us

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/activity/

[HeeBGBz]

14. There was a 2.8 in Oklahoma this evening

Do they have a fault line or is it an extension of New Madrid?

[hecate77]

15. Here is a link to the USGS Earthquake stuff

http://eqhazmaps.usgs.gov/

This site can be used to get to other maps and things. They are now doing an hourly prediction for California, which is pretty neat. Whenever we feel a tremor here, we immediatly go to the USGS site for our area.

http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Maps/122-37.html

I see that your area is nice and red, just like ours. You might want to get familiar with these sites.

Here's another one:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/

Anyway, it can be fun to look at all this. You see that you have a few in your area recently. Nothing like the amount we have, but still, there are a few. Remember, no shaking means buildup. Moderate shaking on a regular basis is usually a good sign. Small slips relieve pressure without destrying anything.

[HeeBGBz]

16. 3.3 south of Kansas City today

Kansas City today, south of Oklahoma City yesterday. These aren't even connected to New Madrid are they? Is there another fault line?

[HeeBGBz]

17. I'm gonna make a lame ass prediction

Nothing more than a hunch and a feeling, but I believe there will be a midwest/New Madrid quake of at least 7 points within the next 6 months.

There have been 3 midwest tremblors within the last two weeks. The seismograms are getting busier. At the time the 3.3 south of Kansas City was happening, I had a major headache that I attributed to a changing weather pattern. Now I wonder if it was connected to the earth rumblies.

:tinfoilhat:

[HeeBGBz]

19. Microquake in eastern Tennessee

Monday, May 23, 2005 at 3:35:36 PM local time. Magnitude 2.1

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsUS/Quakes/sehwb0523a.htm

Not strong, but still another midwest rumble.

[HeeBGBz]

20. What's up in Leachville?

[HeeBGBz]

21. 3.9 in Ridgely, Tennessee

That's a pretty hefty one for the midwest.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsUS/Quakes/nm737.htm