The New Madrid Fault—one of the most seismically active areas in the U.S.—saw unusual activity Friday, with a small swarm of earthquakes rattling areas just south of Missouri.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), four quakes were recorded throughout the day, including a 2.3 magnitude tremor in Missouri’s Bootheel. The largest in the group, a 2.2 magnitude quake, struck near Strawberry, Arkansas, just across the Missouri border.
Typically, the Bootheel region experiences a minor quake every day or two, but it’s uncommon to see several in such close proximity, especially clustered in northern Arkansas. While none of Friday’s tremors were strong enough to cause damage, their location is noteworthy.
The New Madrid Fault is infamous for producing the massive quakes of 1811–1812, events strong enough to reverse the flow of the Mississippi River. Experts caution that while Friday’s swarm is not necessarily a sign of a larger quake to come, the region always carries the potential for significant seismic events.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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