What caused the New Madrid earthquakes?

In 2001 American geophysicist Mark Zoback suggested that the earthquakes were caused by fault movement precipitated by the continued release of stress at the surface from the retreat of glaciers.

How did glaciers cause the earthquakes in Missouri?

Eventually, the glaciers melted. Freed from the heavy pressure of the ice sheet, North America slowly rose. This glacial rebound continues even today and triggers quakes in the New Madrid fault zone in Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee, says Stanford geophysicist Mark Zoback.

What causes intraplate earthquakes?

These intraplate earthquakes are caused by stresses within a plate. Since plates move over a spherical surface, zones of weakness are created. Intraplate earthquakes happen along these zones of weakness. The earthquakes may take place along ancient faults or rift zones.

What fault line runs through the Midwest?

The New Madrid Seismic Zone (/ˈmædrɪd/), sometimes called the New Madrid Fault Line, is a major seismic zone and a prolific source of intraplate earthquakes (earthquakes within a tectonic plate) in the Southern and Midwestern United States, stretching to the southwest from New Madrid, Missouri.

Is there a fault line in Missouri?

The New Madrid fault line extends 120 miles in southeastern Missouri (the “boot heel”) and into northeastern Arkansas. According to Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, it’s an extremely active seismic zone.

Where is the fault line in Missouri?

The New Madrid Fault extends approximately 120 miles southward from the area of Charleston, Missouri, and Cairo, Illinois, through Mew Madrid and Caruthersville, following Interstate 55 to Blytheville, then to Marked Tree Arkansas.

Are intraplate earthquakes rare?

Intraplate earthquakes are relatively rare compared to the more familiar boundary-located interplate earthquakes. Structures far from plate boundaries tend to lack seismic retrofitting, so large intraplate earthquakes can inflict heavy damage.