New Madrid Fault Line

The New Madrid Fault Line marks a geological fault that runs through the southern and midwestern United States. It begins in New Madrid, Missouri, and runs to the southwest. In all, it stretches through six states.

Four of the largest recorded earthquakes in the United States have taken place along the New Madrid Fault Line.¹²

Fast Facts

1. 120 miles long²
2. Begins in New Madrid, Missouri
3. Other names: New Madrid Seismic Zone and Reelfoot Rift
4. The 1812 earthquake along the fault was one of the largest in U.S. history¹
5. Stretches through six states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee²
6. Current recorded activity began in 1970²
7. Thousands recorded since 1970²

History

In 1812, the fault was responsible for the New Madrid Earthquake, which was one of the largest in U.S. history. Since 1812, smaller ones have been recorded. The geological fault is likely to produce major earthquakes every 300 to 500 years.

The fault line consists of reactivated faults that were made when North America split from the supercontinent Rodinia 750 million years ago during the Neoproterozoic Era.

During the Mesozoic era, 250 million years ago, rifting began again. This time, the rift failed to split the land completely but it did contribute to the areas weakness.¹²

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