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Evidence of contemporary and ancient excess fluid pressure in the New Madrid seismic zone of the Reelfoot Rift, central United States

January 1, 1994

In the winter of 1811-12, three of the largest historic earthquakes in the United States occurred near New Madrid, Missouri. Seismicity continues to the present day throughout a tightly clustered pattern of epicenters centered on the bootheel of Missouri, including parts of northeastern Arkansas, northwestern Tennessee, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois. In 1990, the New Madrid seismic zone/central United States became the first seismically active region east of the Rocky Mountains to be designated a priority research area within the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). This professional paper is a collection of papers, some published separately, presenting results of the newly intensified research program in this area. Major components of this research program include tectonic framework studies, seismicity and deformation monitoring and modeling, improved seismic hazard and risk assessments, and cooperative hazard mitigation studies.

Publication Year 1994
Title Evidence of contemporary and ancient excess fluid pressure in the New Madrid seismic zone of the Reelfoot Rift, central United States
DOI 10.3133/pp1538N
Authors F. A. McKeown, S. Diehl
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Professional Paper
Series Number 1538
Index ID pp1538N
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse