According to the USGS, the New Madrid quakes are considered to be in the 7.1 to 7.5 range with 6 quakes in that range plus a large number other quakes in the 6.0 range.

The Mississippi River did not flow backwards.

Large waves (seiches) were generated on the Mississippi River by seismically-induced ground motions deforming the riverbed. Local uplifts of the ground and water waves moving upstream gave the illusion that the river was flowing upstream. Ponds of water also were agitated noticeably.

I am not dissing the New Madrid quakes. Anything above 7 is a bad arse earthquake. The most damage in quakes occurs when liquefaction occurs and that would happen in a lot of places around the New Madrid fault. With the area now having higher populations, the loss of life could be substantial the next time similar quakes hit the area.

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Posted by everytrueson

Los Angeles, CA

Member since Mar 2012

5892 posts

Posted on 8/26/15 at 12:37 pm to Rayburn8

No kidding, if these faults really wake up...scary thought.

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Posted by Wtodd

Tampa, FL

Member since Oct 2013

67482 posts

Posted on 8/26/15 at 12:39 pm to Allyn McKeen

quote:
According to the USGS, the New Madrid quakes are considered to be in the 7.1 to 7.5 range with 6 quakes in that range plus a large number other quakes in the 6.0 range

I read that too but I know I read something years ago that put the New Madrid quakes in a higher range (I'll keep looking on that one).

quote:
I am not dissing the New Madrid quakes

I know you're not

If I find what I previously read I'll post the link:

Edit:

Britannica says 6.7 to 8.8 (total range of all during 1811-1812).

Britannica

Slate says 7.0-8.5
Slate

The Smithsonian says