From December 1811 through March 1812, three powerful earthquakes and more than two thousand aftershocks rockedNew Madrid, Missouri, and the surrounding area. The quakes were felt as far south as New Orleans and as far north as Canada. The United States Geological Survey estimates the power of the earthquakes ranged between magnitude 7 and 8, making them the strongest events recorded in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Deepfissures opened, churchbells rangas far away as Boston, andchimneys fellin Ohio. The Mississippi River reportedly ran backward, and geysers erupted from the earth. Theloss of life was minimaldue to the area's sparse population.Continue\xa0reading... |
