200th anniversary of great quakes

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the great earthquake of 1812, one of the largest earthquake to ever hit North America and the last in a series of three earthquakes starting in December 1811. With 200 years having already passed many are wondering when or if the area will ever see another great quake and just how devastating it might be.

The earthquakes that hit the Delta from late 1811 to the early part of 1812 were among the most severe earthquakes this continent has ever seen, with people as far north as Canada and as far south as the Gulf of Mexico reportedly feeling the quakes, according to newmadrid2011.org. Many legends surrounding the earthquakes include stories of church bells ringing in the Boston area, the sky turning black as night and the Mississippi River flowing backward. Though these legends cannot be confirmed because of a lack of data from that time, local historian Jonathan Abbott says its not unlikely that these things appeared to be happening.

"The Mississippi didn't actually flow backwards," Abbott said. "It's not like it drained all of the water out of Louisiana and sent it up north. What most likely happened was when then ground moved and shook around, it probably pushed water back in the opposite direction. Likewise, the sky may seemed to be dark as night; it could have been caused by the ground moving and sending dirt and soil up into the atmosphere. The thing is, we'll never really know. There just isn't enough information. For the most part, no one was really living in this area yet."

Earthquake researchers say that though the possibility of another earthquake like the ones from 1811-12 happening in the next 100 years is slim, it can't be ruled out.

"The researchers say these things cycle. Some say a 400-year cycle, but it's actually more a 350-500 year cycle," said Abbott. "But since there isn't enough information from back then, we just don't know. It could happen tomorrow. I don't think it will, but it could. We simply don't have enough information because of how early it was."

Regardless of when it happens, researchers say that if this area sees another big quake, likely a 6.0-6.5 according to University of Memphis researchers, the damage would be devastating. Though major earthquakes aren't as frequent along the New Madrid fault as they are out in California, the damage would be far greater.

"Earthquakes here are different than they are there (California)," Abbott explained. "As bad as they may be, the ocean absorbs a lot of the shock. Now this can cause tidal waves and tsunamis in other parts of the world, but the actual land damage is less than it would have been. Here, on the other hand, since we're so far inland, there's nothing to absorb any of the shock. Another earthquake that's a 5.0 or a 6.0 or even a 7.0 would absolutely destroy this area."

The University of Memphis Center for Earthquake Research and Information says that education, preparedness and proper building construction are the most effective ways to reduce total damage and injuries and death in case of another great quake.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com