2010 Metro Mitigation Plan

EARTHQUAKES-2
No.
Date
Richter
Magnitu
de
Associated
Fault
7 January 25, 1955 VI New Madrid
Comment
An earthquake centered near the Arkansas - Tennessee border (near Finley) awakened many residents on January 25, 1955. The
1:24 AM shock broke windows and damaged plaster walls at Finley, where it was felt by all (VI). The total felt area, including points
in Illinois and Kentucky, covered about 75,000 square kilometers.
Source of
Information
8 March 29, 1955 VI New Madrid
An early morning shock (3:02 AM) on March 29, 1955, was felt by everyone in Finley (VI). Plaster was cracked in one home. A
roaring noise and violent shaking were reported. The tremor was felt by many as far away as Caruthersville, Missouri.
9 January 28, 1956 VI New Madrid
10 September 7, 1956 New Madrid
Minor damage occurred at Covington from a January 28, 1956, earthquake. Chimneys and walls were cracked (VI). Many were
awakened at Covington, and the press reported some residents left their homes at Henning. The shock was also felt in Arkansas
and Missouri.
Two tremors about 13 minutes apart were felt over a broad area of eastern Tennessee and adjoining parts of Kentucky, North
Carolina, and Virginia on September 7, 1956. At Knoxville, both shocks were felt by nearly all, many of whom were alarmed (VI).
Windowpanes shattered, dishes broke, objects were shaken from shelves, pictures fell, and some plaster was knocked from walls.
The total felt area covered approximately 21,500 square kilometers.
Earthquake Information Bulletin, Volume 9, Number 2, March - April 1977.
11 October 30, 1973 V, 3.4 Southern Appalachian
An earthquake sequence consisting of one foreshock, a magnitude 4.6 main shock, and more than 30 aftershocks occurred south
of Knoxville during the latter part of 1973. The foreshock, magnitude 3.4, on October 30, was felt over an area of 2,100 square
kilometers, with a maximum intensity of V. The main shock cause minor damage (VI) in several towns in eastern Tennessee,
Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Minor cracks in walls at the University of Tennessee Hospital at Knoxville were reported.
Minor damage to walls, windows, and chimneys occurred in the Maryville - Alcoa area. The shock disrupted relay contacts at the
Alcoa switching station, causing a temporary loss of power. The total felt area, including parts of South Carolina, Virginia, and West
Virginia, as well as the region mentioned above, covered about 65,000 square kilometers. A network of eight portable
seismographs was installed in the main epicentral area. This network was operational from December 2 through December 12 and
recorded 30 small magnitude aftershocks. Additional aftershocks were reported felt on December 13, 14, and 21.
12 1975-2009 New Madrid
Since 1974, There have been 79 earthquakes over 3.0, with the largest earthquake of 5.0 in 1976.
http://folkworm.ceri.memphis.edu/catalogs/scratch/cat_s_5517