can+missouri+even+have+a+earthquake?

=can missouri even have a earthquake?= http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/missouri/history.php

The [|October 31, 1895, earthquake] near Charleston, Missouri, probably ranks second in intensity to the 1811-12 series. Every building in the commercial area of Charleston was damaged. Cairo, Illinois, and Memphis, Tennessee, also suffered significant damage. Near Charleston, 4 acres of ground sank and a lake was formed. The shock was felt over all or portions of 23 states and at some places in Canada. A moderate earthquake on April 9, 1917, in the Ste. Genevieve - St. Marys area was reportedly felt over a 518,000 square kilometer area from Kansas to Ohio and Wisconsin to Mississippi. In the epicentral area people ran into the street, windows were broken, and plaster cracked. A second shock of lesser intensity was felt in the southern part of the area. The small railroad town of Rodney, Missouri, experienced a strong earthquake on August 19, 1934. At nearby Charleston, windows were broken, chimneys were overthrown or damaged, and articles were knocked from shelves. Similar effects were observed at Cairo, Mounds and Mound City, Illinois, and at Wickliff, Kentucky. The area of destructive intensity included more than 596 square kilometers. The November 9, 1968, earthquake centered in southern Illinois was the strongest in the central United States since 1895. The magnitude 5.5 shock caused moderate damage to chimneys and walls at Hermann, St. Charles, St. Louis, and Sikeston, Missouri. The felt areas include all or portions of 23 states.

The written record of earthquakes in Missouri prior to the nineteenth century is virtually nonexistent; however, there is a geologic evidence that the New Madrid seismic zone has had a long history of activity. The first written account of an earthquake in the region was by a French missionary on a voyage down the Mississippi River. He reported feeling a distinct tremor on Christmas Day 1699 while camped in the area of what is now Memphis, Tennessee. Whatever the seismic history of the region may have been before the first Europeans arrived, after December 16, 1811, there could be no doubt about the area's potential to generate severe earthquakes. On that date, shortly after 2 AM, the first tremor of the most violent series of earthquakes in the United States history struck southeast Missouri. In the small town of New Madrid, about 290 kilometers south of St. Louis, residents were aroused from their sleep by the rocking of their cabins, the cracking of timbers, the clatter of breaking dishes and tumbling furniture, the rattling of falling chimneys, and the crashing of falling trees. A terrifying roaring noise was created as the earthquake waves swept across the ground. Large fissures suddenly opened and swallowed large quantities of river and marsh water. As the fissures closed again, great volumes of mud and sand were ejected along with the water.

**// http://sema.dps.mo.gov/EQ.htm //** **// Earthquake Program Overview //** Over the years, the Missouri state emergency management agency (SEMA) has made a dedicated effort to protect the lives and property of all Missourians when major disasters threaten public safety. SEMA responds to two types of disasters - natural and manmade. Natural disasters are major snow and/or ice storms, floods, tornadoes and/or severe weather, as well as the threat of a serious earthquake along Missouri's New Madrid fault. Manmade disasters, also known as technological emergencies, may include hazardous material incidents, nuclear power plant accidents and other radiological hazards, as well as homeland security events in the new world environment.

One of SEMA’s key roles is to maintain the State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP) that is followed by the Missouri state government departments and agencies when the use of state resources is required. Following the procedures outlined in the SEOP, SEMA coordinates the state’s disaster response for all types of large-scale emergencies. To better prepare for meeting the challenges associated with disasters, SEMA has developed and implemented a number of programs that are designed to mitigate damages, enhance preparedness, improve response operations and aid the recovery process.

A major earthquake centered in the New Madrid seismic zone potentially is one of the most serious natural hazard threats facing the state of Missouri. Experts mostly agree that it is not a matter of if a significant earthquake occurring, but rather it is a matter of how soon one will happen. SEMA has developed a multifaceted earthquake program designed to carry out earthquake awareness and preparedness programs; Work with partners to promote earthquake loss-reduction plans, practices and policies that encourage earthquake mitigation; And develop better response and recovery capabilities through participation in earthquake training and exercises.