6.9 Earthquake in Baja; Felt bad in San Diego

[redsmetz]

it's also interesting how far away earthquakes can be felt, or how far reaching the effects. Lake Pontchartrain (north of new orleans) experienced a "sloshing" effect from the recent Chlilean earthquake.

The largest earthquake in the history of the U.S. was the New Madrid MO earthquakes over 1811 and 1812, some exceeding 8.0 on the Richter Scale. The largest is said to have been felt as far away as Boston (1275+ miles away), ringing church bells there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1812_New_Madrid_earthquake

[RBA]

The largest earthquake in the history of the U.S. was the New Madrid MO earthquakes over 1811 and 1812, some exceeding 8.0 on the Richter Scale. The largest is said to have been felt as far away as Boston (1275+ miles away), ringing church bells there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1812_New_Madrid_earthquake

On the afternoon of March 27, 1964, the state of Alaska suffered the worst earthquake ever recorded in North America. The quake registered 8.6 on the Richter Scale in 1964 and has since been upgraded to 9.2 by the USGS. The effects of the quake were devastating. All of Anchorage was shaken by the quake, but the Downtown and Turnagain neighborhoods incurred the most dramatic damage. One hundred-seventeen people lost their lives and millions of dollars in property was damaged or destroyed. Thirty-five years later the state has made a full recovery but signs of the disaster, such as Earthquake Park and Potter Marsh, serve as a reminder of the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake.


http://consortiumlibrary.org/archive...keExhibit.html

Seems New Madrid is further down the list..
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquak...largest_us.php

[redsmetz]

On the afternoon of March 27, 1964, the state of Alaska suffered the worst earthquake ever recorded in North America. The quake registered 8.6 on the Richter Scale in 1964 and has since been upgraded to 9.2 by the USGS. The effects of the quake were devastating. All of Anchorage was shaken by the quake, but the Downtown and Turnagain neighborhoods incurred the most dramatic damage. One hundred-seventeen people lost their lives and millions of dollars in property was damaged or destroyed. Thirty-five years later the state has made a full recovery but signs of the disaster, such as Earthquake Park and Potter Marsh, serve as a reminder of the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake.


http://consortiumlibrary.org/archive...keExhibit.html

Seems New Madrid is further down the list..
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquak...largest_us.php

Thanks for the clarification. I have vivid memories of the photos from the Alaska earthquake in 1964. The New Madrid fault has not had a major quake in nearly 200 years. I know it's one they watch. Of course, compared to the emptiness of the area back then, a major quake there would be significantly different.

[RBA]

You are right redsmetz. A 6 plus would not be good there. A 7 plus would be devastating.

[SandyD]

From the Tennessee Historical Society:
http://www.reelfoot.com/new_madrid_earthquake.htm


The legend:
http://www.reelfoot.com/legend_1.htm

Reelfoot Lake was formed or expanded in the 1812 earthquake.