No it wasn't, not even close in fact! The 1811-1812 New Madrid quakes have been estimated in the 7.7 range
Well I'll have to give this round to da gimp! I don't think there is much argument among most people that the New Madrid quakes were the most damaging ever in the CONUS during recorded history. The creation of Reelfoot Lake and the 5+ mile sand boil down by Hayti are evidence of the intensity of the quakes which many geologists (prior to 2003) rated as high as 8.8 on Richter. Bells were rung by the quake as far away as Boston and were felt as far away as Ontario. The thing that is different about the New Madrid fault, is the sedimentry nature of the soils above the fault tend to transfer the forces released by the quakes further than areas with more igneous rock content.
The USGS says in a Jan. 13, 2003 report: "The new forecasts estimate a 7 to 10 percent chance, in the next 50 years, of a repeat of a major earthquake like those that occurred in 1811-1812, which likely had magnitudes of between 7.5 and 8.0. (and) There is a 25 to 40 percent chance, in a 50-year time span, of a magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquake."
In either case the disruptions of a 6.0 - 8-0 quake would cause a economic disaster that could well exceed any comparable quake on the San Andreas Fault.
Where da gimp is off is the effects would likely be oriented generally SW to NE along the Ohio River Valley and not have much chance of hurting the Callaway Nuclear Plant
Last edited by RED; 05-14-2012 at 01:18.
How come it is always too something... Too hot, too cold, too soon, too late, too much, too little, too deep, too shallow, but always "too" something.