While people in some parts of California are dealing with earthquakes lately, Arkansans may think they are in the clear. But geologists say that’s not the case. In fact, large parts of Arkansas fall inside the New Madrid Seismic Zone, a fault line that has produced some of the largest earthquakes in the lower 48 states. While there hasn’t been a major shaker in recent years, Martha Kopper with the Arkansas Geological Survey says the New Madrid fault is the most active seismic zone east of the Rockies.
She says the biggest earthquake along the New Madrid fault was in 1811 in northeast Arkansas. That quake registered a magnitude seven-point-seven, causing major damage and loss of life. Over the years, there have been other quakes of similar magnitude in the region, as well as smaller ones in recent years. In Arkansas, at least 15 earthquakes have occurred in the past six months, including one within the past week.