Everything Everywhere Daily · Wednesday, September 23, 2026
The most significant events in the New Madrid seismic zone were the earthquakes of 1811 and 1812, with magnitudes estimated between 7.0 and 7.5. These earthquakes caused widespread damage, including ground fissures, river disruptions, and sand blows, felt over 900 miles away.
“The most notable of which occurred in 1811 and 1812, and are known as the New Madrid earthquakes.”
“The first earthquake occurred on December 16th, 1811, around 2:15 AM, in what is now known as Blytheville, Arkansas.”
“The earthquake was estimated to be at a magnitude 7.5 on the Richter scale.”
“In the end, significant damage was observed over an area of 230,000 square miles or 600,000 square kilometers.”