The New Madrid Seismic Zone Could Unleash Devastating Power
Hidden beneath the heartland of America lies a geological monster that few people truly understand. The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), located in southeastern Missouri, northeastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, western Kentucky and southern Illinois, is the most active seismic area in the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains. According to the USGS, there is a 25–40% chance the NMSZ will experience a magnitude 6.0 and greater earthquake in the next 50 years. Dr. Sherrill and her colleagues conducted loss models that estimate the extent and cost of damages. They found that a magnitude 7.6 earthquake in the NMSZ could cause losses exceeding $43 billion (adjusted for 2024 inflation). Think of this zone as a sleeping giant that has been quietly building pressure for over 200 years, waiting for the right moment to unleash its fury across eight states.
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