Missouri Earthquakes Tripled in March—Here’s Why It’s OK

If you are interested in earthquake activity along the New Madrid Fault, you know that a big jump in tremors is concerning, but the fact that Missouri quakes in March tripled compared to the total number in February shouldn't keep you up at night.

I frequently share monthly earthquake totals for the New Madrid Seismic Region. I mentioned in February that there was an eerie quiet in the boot heel of Missouri as there were only 6 confirmed quakes all month. I fully expected that we'd see a different outcome in March and we did. According to the USGS, here are all of the confirmed New Madrid Fault quakes for March. You'll see 18 quakes on their map.

Here's why the number of earthquakes along the New Madrid Fault tripling in March compared to February is not a problem

I have monitored southern Missouri earthquake activity as long as I can remember and an average month will see anywhere from 25 to 30 quakes. The 18 in March is still well below what an average month of quakes would look like in the Missouri boot heel. I figure that this is just the regular ebb and flow of seismic activity in this part of America. That doesn't mean we should let our guard down, though. As I shared earlier this week, many experts believe a major New Madrid earthquake event would be much more damaging than any other part of the country. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance estimates the damage could be in the $300 billion dollar range. That's why having an emergency plan in place for you and your family is prudent. If/when the New Madrid Fault unleashes a major quake, we'll likely get no warning. It may not happen in our lifetime or it could happen today.