Earthquake along New Madrid fault would devastate Central U.S. - read U of I report
Area of impact in major quake Courtesy: Mid America earthquake Center
Up until this point, the recent earthquake tremors felt in Chicago have been more a source of amusement than a source of alarm, but a new University of Illinois report says we could be in for the "big one."
The report warns that a major quake in the 7.7 magnitude range is a real possibility along the New Madrid fault line.
If a quake that size did hit, the report estimates at least 3,500 people would be killed and more than 80,000 others hurt.
In short, the quake could devastate areas in Illinois and other central states.
The report was commissioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and was headed up by University of Illinois Professor Amr Elnashai.
Other estimates from the report include:
- 715,000 buildings damaged
- 7 million people homeless
- 2.6 million households without power
- $300 Billion economic impact
The two towns most at risk because of their proximity to the fault zone are St. Louis, and Memphis, though towns in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas and Alabama will also see damage, according to the report.
An Associated Press article notes there were four earthquakes in the 7.0 range in 1811 and 1812, a time when the region did not have anywhere near the population and building density it has now. The AP says those quakes caused landslides and huge waves on the Mississippi that swamped boats. The ground was split with deep fissures.
The U of I report is available for download on the Internet. It's a technical, but also a fascinating, even frightening read. To download the report, click here.
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