The February 7th Earthquake/The Great Shakeout

On the two hundred and first anniversary of the greatest of the New Madrid earthquakes, several government agencies that CERI works with are holding an earthquake preparedness drill called the The Great Shakeout.  This drill is being held to both raise awareness of the earthquake risk in the Central United States and test preparedness in case an event such as a major earthquake were to occur.  People are encouraged to participate in the drill as a way to enhance their awareness of the possiblity of earthquakes occurring in the area and hone their preparedness skills.  One simple idea is drop conver and hold on.  As exemplified by this simple graphic, if an earthquake occurs  individuals would drop to the ground, cover themselves and hold on until the quake ceases.

  There are many ways to participate so go to the web site and see what you can do!
As a bit of reminder here is a eyewitness account for the February 7, 1812 earthquake at
"Between the hours of 3 and 5 on the morning of Friday last, a shock of the Earthquake was felt in this place, much more violent and alarming than any which have hitherto been experienced. It was also of greater duration and accompanied with a rumbling noise and flashes of light from the N. W. The bricks on the houses were in some places, removed from their positions. The buildings were violently agitated, and the walls are known in some influences to have been cracked. At Louisville the gable ends of houses have tumbled down, and at Frankfort we hear that the penitentiary has partially suffered." Report for the February 7, 1812 earthquake from Vincennes , Indiana  From the Western Sun, 02/22/1812 18120222_nmad_10_130.