Missouri Sees Quake Near Birch Tree Conservation Area

The New Madrid Fault has had an interesting week. Instead of the typical tiny quakes that happen all the time in the boot heel part of the state, it's been unleashing tremors in unusual places like the Birch Tree Conservation Area which just had a confirmed quake that happened late Thursday.

Here's the exact location of Thursday's New Madrid Fault quake in south-central Missouri shared by the USGS

If you zoom into the USGS map, you'll see that this late Thursday New Madrid Fault quake was right in the middle of the heavily-wooded Birch Tree Conservation Area. This is a very unusual location for a New Madrid quake.

Why share an earthquake that was only 2.2 in magnitude?

I get this type of question all the time and it's a valid one. You might be surprised to know that there are many conspiracy theory YouTube channels that frequently take even minor quakes like this and claim it's a sign that the end is near and a major New Madrid Seismic Zone event is imminent. I have spent years (as a certified earthquake nerd) trying to spread factual information about how the New Madrid Fault is a wildly unpredictable seismic region, but that major quakes CANNOT be predicted ahead of time. While this quake that's just been reported Friday morning is in an unusual place, it's likely just another example of the New Madrid Fault affecting such a large area. I normally don't share every 1.5 quake that happens in the boot heel because that happens about every other day. When the New Madrid Fault shakes someplace new or unusual, I'll pass along that note with my typical warning that this isn't a reason for panic.

When should you be prepared for a major New Madrid quake?

Every single day if you live in Missouri and especially the southern part of the state. A major quake may not happen in our lifetime or it could happen today. Be prepared in case it's that second option.