M4.0 earthquake hits Missouri right in the New Madrid Seismic Zone – Thousands of reports from Arkansas to Tennessee

There was a M4.0 earthquake Wednesday night just outside of Poplar Bluff, which reportedly was felt off and on in seven to 10-second intervals and reported almost 5,000 times on the USGS website.

The earthquake happened at around 8:53 pm. Many across southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas were able to feel an earthquake Wednesday night. The center of the quake was in northern Butler County, just seven miles southeast of Williamsville, Missouri.

The tremor was followed by a smaller M2.5 quake at the same location and was preceded by two others in Kansas (M2.9 and M3.0) and another one in Arkansas (M2.9).

M4.0 earthquake in Missouri, fairly deep at 16 km and strike slip faulting https://t.co/GVHFJCm7ot pic.twitter.com/pAf0EWHXLm

— Jascha Polet (@CPPGeophysics) November 18, 2021

The quake was within what is called the New Madrid Seismic Zone. This zone generated the massive family of quakes between 1811 and 1812 that changed the course of the Mississippi River. Experts believe the New Madrid Zone has been responsible for magnitude 7 to 8 intensity earthquakes about every 500 years over the past 1200 years.

According to a 2019 report from the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, earthquake insurance coverage dropped to only 14% of homes in the New Madrid area in 2018. In 2000, 60% of homes were covered.

Saint Louis University seismologist Robert Herrmann said Missouri has been spared from major earthquakes in recent years, lulling concerns over possible tremblors. But Hermann said he “would recommend that they still worry about earthquakes.”

There are no reports of damage, but many calls to 911 about a 4.0 magnitude earthquake in southeast Missouri just before 9 p.m. tonight. Some reports of pictures being knocked of walls. People have reported feeling the quake in Memphis, Springfield, St. Louis and Kansas City. https://t.co/o6zejNwoFo

— MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) November 18, 2021

Missouri holds an earthquake drill to prepare for the next ‘big one’. “The problems that are here are the same problems that are in California,” Herrmann said. “But earthquake insurance is expensive, and earthquake insurance doesn’t cover everything.”

According to the agency, the Missouri report points to a recent risk assessment that predicted total economic losses of $300 billion if a similarly strong earthquake hits again – the highest total economic loss of any natural disaster in U.S. history.

#NEW: People in northeast Arkansas report feeling earthquake. @USGS reports a 3.7 magnitude earthquake near Poplar Bluff, MO around 8:53pm. #ARNews

— Mitchell McCoy (@MitchellMcCoy) November 18, 2021

Getting reports from Memphians who just felt a Williamsville, MO earthquake. It was a 3.7 magnitude just north of Poplar Bluff.

— Joey Sulipeck FOX13 (@joeysulipeck) November 18, 2021

Insured homes in the region could face as much as $120 billion in damages, and uninsured homes could face another $100 billion.

The U.S. Geological Survey predicts there’s a 7% to 10% chance that an earthquake of that intensity could happen again in the next 50 years. There’s a 25% to 40% likelihood that a magnitude six earthquake or greater hits.

Get prepared for the next ‘Big One’ in your area. The question is not IF but WHEN the next strong jolt will hit! [Fox2Now]

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