Major New Madrid Fault Quake Warning Could Come from Animals

Science tells us that it's impossible to accurately predict earthquakes, but that doesn't mean we might not have a small advanced warning that something major is about to happen. There is history that proves that animals did sense the historic New Madrid Fault quakes before the occurred.

I was watching again a video shared by the USGS that was created years ago that described effects and accounts of the monstrous 1811 and 1812 New Madrid Fault quakes in Missouri. One particular account got my attention. Here's what the USGS said was documented by a man and his horse:

"John James Audubon was riding his horse when suddenly the animal stopped. A few seconds later the earthquake shook them both to the ground as the horse knew the quake was about to happen."

Can animals really sense earthquakes?

The USGS says there is history that proves the answer may be yes. They said "the earliest reference we have to unusual animal behavior prior to a significant earthquake is from Greece in 373 BC." They also said that many years ago people in China noticed strange animal behavior and decided to sleep outside as a precaution. Their lives were spared when a major earthquake collapsed many buildings days later.

The USGS also offers a word of warning about animals and earthquake predictions

While there are historical accounts including the 1811 and 1812 New Madrid quakes in Missouri that animal behavior can be a warning, the USGS says most major events have no prelude. That translates into the need for everyone in Missouri that lives near the New Madrid Fault to be earthquake-aware and have an emergency plan. I will add that if you have animals and you notice bizarre behavior, it's worth paying attention to. Your pets or livestock might know the feared major New Madrid quake event is imminent long before the rest of us do.