What Happens to Iowa if the New Madrid Fault Line Shakes Again?
When it comes to natural disasters, the Hawkeye State faces several risks: flooding, tornadoes, winter storms, drought, etc... But most Iowans would be shocked if you told them that a major fault line can be found not far from the state's borders. A major earthquake in this region could cause significant damage in several states, including Iowa.
Located primarily in Missouri, the New Madrid Seismic Zone is a 150-mile-long fault zone that has produced some of the most powerful earthquakes in the history of the US. And some experts believe it's overdue for another big quake.
While Iowa is not considered a hotbed for seismic activity, it isn't completely immune to earthquakes. The state has experienced several earthquakes throughout its recorded history, the most powerful being the 1934 Earthquake in Davenport.
While the New Madrid Seismic Zone is around 500 miles from Iowa's most populous city of Des Moines, a major earthquake there could still cause significant damage to infrastructure in the Hawkeye State.
The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) is known for a series of three major earthquakes that occurred between December 16, 1811 and February 7, 1812. These earthquakes are considered some of the largest in the United States since European settlement, causing widespread damage and physiographic changes. The first earthquake on December 16, 1811 is estimated to have been a magnitude of 8.1 on the Richter scale, while the second on January 23, 1812 was 7.8, and the third on February 7, 1812 was as much as 8.8.
According to the Iowa Geological Survey, an estimated 6.5 quake would likely cause buildings to tremble in Iowa's southern counties. But what about an earthquake on par with the 8.8 in February 1812? I asked ChatGPT this exact question and got an interesting answer:
A major earthquake of this scale would produce significant shaking even at a distance. In Iowa, this could result in moderate structural damage, disruptions to utilities, and potentially more pronounced economic impacts. The shaking would be widely felt across the state, and emergency response measures would likely be needed.
-ChatGPT
Another likely occurrence of a major seismic event in New Madrid would be the temporary change of course of the Mississippi River, as records indicate this took place back in 1812.
To learn more about the New Madrid Seismic Area and its potential for producing another major earthquake, check out this article from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
The Sunken Iowa Steamboat
Gallery Credit: Andy Gott