On Christmas morning, the New Madrid Fault in southern Missouri rumbled, causing a slight jolt that was more of a friendly greeting than a life-altering event.
As I woke up today and patiently waited for my children to stir, I took a moment to visit the USGS earthquake site, a daily ritual of mine. I had hoped that the New Madrid Fault would show some restraint on Christmas and remain still, but my expectations were shattered. To my surprise, a distinct dot appeared on the southern edge of Missouri, indicating a significant New Madrid quake that occurred in the early hours of Christmas morning, as confirmed by a USGS seismologist.
Zooming in closer, I observed a larger earthquake that occurred near Cooter, Missouri on Monday, December 23. This earthquake was significant enough to be felt by people in the vicinity.
Missouri’s southern border is not only a place where you can rearrange your furniture or break a dinner dish, but it is also one of the most seismically-active earthquake faults in America. This week has been no different, with another series of tremors taking place in the area.
Hopefully, the Christmas week commotion in the Missouri bootheel is merely a festive exchange and not a precursor to a significant occurrence. After all, it is the holiday season.
