Happy 205!

Well today marks the 205th anniversary of the first great New Madrid earthquake.  So far today the seismic activity at New Madrid seems slow but you never know what the next day will bring there.  If you want to read historic accounts of the event go to the New Madrid Compendium.  Read and enjoy!

The February 7, 1812 Earthquake

"Columbia S. C, February 11", New Madrid Compendium Number 137

Two hundred and two years ago the largest of the New Madrid earthquakes occurred.  It was noted by most observers as being the strongest of the quakes and was felt across the Eastern North American continent.  In commemoration of that day here is a felt report from the quake .  This accounts gives a vivid glimpse at the power the earthquake displayed even at a large distance from the epicenter.  Read and enjoy.

Source "Columbia S. C. February 11,"  Raleigh Star, February 22, 1812, Page 31, Column 3.

A Cold Earthquake

--> Recently here weather had become quite frigid with the temperatures plunging  to record low levels. In the Memphis area the thermometer dropped into the single digits for a couple of evenings and made it quite uncomfortable for all concerned.  In 1811-1812 the weather was equally cold with winter storms raging across the country, especially in the Northeastern United States .  The temperature there plunged so low that it caused a phenomenon related to the cold called a cryoseism.  This is an earthquake  caused by the cold not by normal geological activity.  This phenomenon happened at Salem, Massachusetts.  Below  is the report of that event with other weather phenomena in the region.  


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Source New Madrid Compendium Number 163,  “Cold Weather”,  Boston Independent Chronicle, February 6, 1812, Page 3, Column 1.