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Everything Everywhere Daily

The New Madrid Earthquakes

15 min episode · 2 min read

Episode

15 min

Read time

2 min

Topics

Fundraising & VC, Leadership, Science & Discovery

AI-Generated Summary

Key Takeaways

  • Intraplate seismic risk: Most people associate earthquakes with plate boundaries like the Pacific Ring of Fire, but the New Madrid Seismic Zone sits inside the North American plate. Intraplate faults accumulate stress over centuries, then rupture at magnitudes comparable to boundary earthquakes, making them harder to anticipate.
  • Amplified shaking zone: A magnitude 7.6 earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone would shake bedrock across an area 20 times larger than a comparable California earthquake. Soft sedimentary rock in the Mississippi Embayment amplifies seismic waves far beyond what West Coast geology produces.
  • FEMA catastrophe projections: A major New Madrid earthquake scenario modeled by FEMA estimates 86,000 dead and injured, 7.2 million people displaced within three days, and $300 billion in direct economic losses, partly because regional buildings were not engineered to earthquake-resistant standards.
  • Fault activity debate: The New Madrid fault moves only 0.2 millimeters per year versus 37 millimeters for California's San Andreas Fault, leading some scientists to argue the system is shutting down. However, USGS still estimates a 7–10% chance of a repeat 1811-scale event within 50 years.

What It Covers

The New Madrid Seismic Zone, an intraplate fault system in the central United States, produced magnitude 7.5 earthquakes in 1811–1812 that reshaped the Mississippi River landscape, and FEMA projects a future event could cause $300 billion in losses.

Key Questions Answered

  • Intraplate seismic risk: Most people associate earthquakes with plate boundaries like the Pacific Ring of Fire, but the New Madrid Seismic Zone sits inside the North American plate. Intraplate faults accumulate stress over centuries, then rupture at magnitudes comparable to boundary earthquakes, making them harder to anticipate.
  • Amplified shaking zone: A magnitude 7.6 earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone would shake bedrock across an area 20 times larger than a comparable California earthquake. Soft sedimentary rock in the Mississippi Embayment amplifies seismic waves far beyond what West Coast geology produces.
  • FEMA catastrophe projections: A major New Madrid earthquake scenario modeled by FEMA estimates 86,000 dead and injured, 7.2 million people displaced within three days, and $300 billion in direct economic losses, partly because regional buildings were not engineered to earthquake-resistant standards.
  • Fault activity debate: The New Madrid fault moves only 0.2 millimeters per year versus 37 millimeters for California's San Andreas Fault, leading some scientists to argue the system is shutting down. However, USGS still estimates a 7–10% chance of a repeat 1811-scale event within 50 years.

Notable Moment

During the 1812 earthquakes, the Mississippi River appeared to reverse direction in places. Witnesses also reported sand geysers shooting 10–20 feet high across a 4,000-square-mile radius, rendering farmland agriculturally unusable for years afterward.

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Episode Transcript

In the winter of eighteen eleven, the American frontier was shaken by a series of earthquakes so powerful that they were felt across much of the continent. The ground split open, forests were flattened, sand erupted from the earth, and the Mississippi River seemed to flow backwards. Even more unsettling is the fact that the source of those earthquakes remains active today, and some say it could happen again. Learn more about the New Madrid earthquakes on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. This episode is sponsored by Square. About twenty five years ago, I had a business that did point of sale transactions. We had to get a cash register, a separate system for credit card transactions, and it was all a real pain. Today, starting a business that accepts payments is much easier largely thanks to Square. You've probably seen Square terminals many times even if you didn't know it. Square brings payments, point of sale, inventory, staffing, online sales together in one place. Easy to use tools help simplify the day to day running of a business. And not only does Square make your business easier to run, but sellers who use Square software see 9% higher sales on average. If you're starting a business or running one that deserves better tools, Square helps you sell, manage, and grow without slowing down. Right now, you can get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go-daily. That's square.com/go/daily. Run your business smarter with Square. Get started today. This episode is sponsored by Mint Mobile. One of the things I've learned while traveling is that The United States has some of the most expensive mobile plans in the world. Yet there is an extremely simple solution to the problem, Mint Mobile. It works with your current phone and phone number, and you can keep all your contacts. It uses the T Mobile network, which is the fastest mobile network in The United States. You just spend less money because Mint Mobile doesn't have the overhead of other mobile companies. That is why I recommend Mint Mobile. To get your new wireless plan for this $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/eed. That's mintmobile.com/eed. Cut your wireless bill to $15 a month at mintmobile.com/eed. That's it. There's no catch. Upfront payment of $45 for three months, $90 for six months, or a $180 for twelve months plan required. $15 per month equivalent. Taxes and fees extra initial plan term only. Greater than 50 gigabyte may slow when network is busy, includes up to 20 gigabyte hotspot. Capable device required, availability, speed, and coverage varies. See mintmobile.com. The New Madrid Seismic Zone, otherwise known as the NMSZ, is located in the Midwest and Southern United States covering territory in Northeastern Arkansas, Southeastern Missouri, Western Kentucky and Tennessee, and Southern Illinois. The zone is the most active seismic area East Of The Rocky Mountains and could affect major cities such as St. Louis, Little Rock, and Memphis. What makes the New Madrid Seismic …

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