WNKY News 40 Weather Report: New Madrid Seismic Zone

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Did you know that Kentucky borders one of the most active seismic zones in the continent?  It’s known as the New Madrid Seismic Zone. This area has been active since the major earthquake events of 1811 and 1812. 

“The New Madrid fault line has been active since the last major earthquake we had in that area.” Said Dr.  Nahid Gani, geology professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences department at WKU.

Dr. Gani mentioned that there are hundreds of earthquakes in the region each year. They’re usually minor  earthquakes and are hardly felt.

Although no one can predict when earthquakes will happen.  Dr. Ghani’s research on these geological patterns, suggests that more seismic activity will occur.

“Sometimes they are felt by people and minor damages. So what is this telling us over the years? In this century,  we are following the pattern of  smaller earthquakes, which would significantly suggest that this New Madrid seismic zone is still active.” Said Dr. Gani

The New Madrid seismic zone is a deformation zone or an area where there’s lots of stress between the rocks, where multiple fault lines lie. One particular geological feature is the Reelfoot fault. It’s a Reverse fault line where one side moves up and above the other. 

The Reelfoot fault is a failed rift. Rifts have separated continents between land and sea, in this case, the rift has failed, making sediment in the region very loose. 

According to Dr. Gani,  loose sediments amplify a seismic wave as it passes through them. Which poses a risk for greater damage in the event of a strong earthquake.

The geological conditions also contribute to Liquefaction. It’s when loose soils are shaken rapidly, causing them to flow like liquid.

The odds of experiencing an earthquake as catastrophic as the 1811 through 1812 events within the next 50 years is about 7 to 10%, according to U.S.G.S  Despite the low probability, Dr. Ghani’s research continues to focus on these geological features and wants to bring awareness of how vulnerable the area is to potential future earthquakes.

“When the 1811 and 1812 earthquakes happened,  there weren’t many people living in surrounding regions. Right now, many of these cities are densely populated. So I think these areas need to have this kind of preparation in mind.”- Dr. Gani