One Year Later

Even a year after the New Madrid earthquakes occurred there was seismic activity near the epicenter.  Long after the earthquakes faded from the newspapers across the country reports were received that detailed how the area still experienced aftershocks that troubled the local residents. Here is one of those accounts from Kaskaskia, Illinois. Kaskaskia was an old town by the time of the New Madrid earthquakes that was across the river from St. Genevieve Missouri.  It suffered damage from the earthquakes and was well aware of the disaster that befell New Madrid.  Here is that account:

You can find other accounts of the earthquakes and their effects at the  New Madrid Compendium

After the quakes

Although the main New Madrid earthquake ceased in February 1812 aftershocks continued throughout the year.  Correspondents from New Madrid noted the continuous shaking of the ground and that by the end of the year they had experienced several thousand shocks( quakes)  this pattern would continue for years thereafter to the point that the local inhabitants became indifferent to them and ignored them as just a part of daily life.  As time passed the earthquakes would recede into myth and legend.  The blog will continue to  highlight New Madrid earthquake history and other historical earthquakes in the region as time permits.