With the Minneapolis bridge collapse, do you believe the Midwest is safe from a major quake?

Question

With the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, can one wonder the safety of the Midwest, if she were to experience another major quake? Remember that one of the strongest quakes to hit the U.S. mainland was the series of New Madrid Earthquakes (1811-1812 in the Southwest corner of Missouri), where a few of them registered over 8+ on the Richter scale.

It is said that there is over a 50% chance that a 6+ magnitude quake will hit Southwest Missouri by 2040. From 1811 to present day, there has been major development and population explosion west of the Mississippi River. One of the major obstacles, liabilities facing the Midwest is her reliance on unreinforced masonry. That will truly up the death tolls in cities like Memphis and St. Louis, if such a quake were to take place.

Check out the graphic of the U.S. vs. the 1994 Northridge Earthquake vs. the 1895 Charleston, MO, earthquake that traveled a lot longer ways, damage and earthfelt wise.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:NMSZ_Vergleich.jpg

Good input everyone. Oh, I just want to add that the soil of the Midwest, bedrock, makes the ripple effect that much more.

Answer 1

Most of the USA could have a major earthquake.

I would be as concerned in Colorado as any state along the Mississippi.

But your warning will all on deaf ears. No one wants to think, that where they live will have a disruption, such as an earthquake.

And more than likely, after it happens whine because no one forced them to listen to warnings.

Answer 2

I stay in Minneapolis, MN and that i'm so grateful that I wait until rush hour lightens up until I bypass away because of the fact i could've been on that bridge. It makes me mad that for the duration of 1990 there replaced into observe that the bridge would desire to get replaced. Why did no longer they do greater desirable than patch paintings? My sister takes that comparable highway abode from her activity standard and that i've got no longer been able to arise together with her so it incredibly makes you think of you could lose something in in basic terms an instantaneous. by no ability take something with no attention! i'd additionally decide for to function that there have been initially 7 pronounced to be ineffective and the extensive style went right down to 4. Many others are trapped interior the water in autos and a few below debris. the possibility of those human beings being alive are not solid. I heard Tim Pawlenty supply excuses and not carry the state at fault for any of this. there is lots different highway paintings going on in this state like a lot of highway paintings on I-ninety 4 in direction of Fargo, ND. Why do they concentration on widening those roads or retaring them rather of adjusting significant issues like bridges turning in great bodies of water?

Answer 3

NO place- is "safe" from a major Earthquake. It's one of life's little "surprises". Ma Nature as "terrorist"...- Just when you LEAST expect it.... ka- BOOM! -You're hit by a hurricane; or a tsunami; or a tornado; or an earthquake...etc...etc.- etc. Think you're in the SAFEST place in the Country, and a Volcano will start growing in your front yard- or a Meteorite will take out your house.... -Such is Life. There's NO escape. Like Auntie said- in the movie, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, "Remember WHERE you are; this is Thunderdome. Death is listening...-And will take the FIRST man that screams..." :)

Answer 4

Nothing is safe from anything--that's the nature of life on this planet. How you deal with what faces you--that's what's important.