#1811 Earthquakes
13 messages in this thread
I am attempting to obtain information on a series of earthquakes
apparently felt in the Southeastern United States during the fall of 1811. I
assume these were tied to activity along the New Madrid Fault, but am in need
of specific dates on which major activity could be felt, particularly in
Alabama.
Any assistance anyone can give will be greatly appreciated!
Dale Cox
Dale-
I don't have my references right here but there were three major events in
1811-12. These are well studied, or at least as well as they can be.
Back in the dawn of time, I prepared seismic hazard analyses for nuclear
power plants in the Midwest. As you might imagine, the New Madrid events were
often the controlling events. Since then, ththere have been several books,
both historic and technical, on the events and the USGS has sponsored much
research including a seismograph net. The seminal paper on the earthquakes was
prepared by Otto Nuttli of Saint Louis University and appeared in the Bull of
the Seismological Society of America about 1973. He also included an appendix
on historic perceptions throughout the east. For instance, I recall it was
quite stong at Cincinatti and felt in Boston.
Therefore, there is lots of stuff available, from popular literature to very
technical stuff.
A shortcut approach, although not the most recent, would to look at some
reports prepared by TVA for their nukes in northern Alabama (or at least
proposed ones). They would have searched out all historic records in the area
as we did for MO, TN, KY, IL, etc.
Let me know if you need more specifics.
Steve
Steve,
Thanks for your help. I will consult the TVA reports. My project is
somewhat unique. I am attempting to confirm whether earthquakes were being
felt in Alabama prior to the visit of the Shawnee leader Tecumseh to the region
region in September and October of 1811. Tecumseh supposedly threatened to
stamp his foot and make the ground shake during this visit.
If, however, the quakes were already being felt, then the legend probably
doesn't hold much water.
Thanks again, Dale
Dale-
There are strong legends about a New-Madrid type event in 1699. However, I
like the story of t Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet. Didn't they do an
eclipse thing too before Tippacanoe, or am I confusing my Indian Wars.
On a more technical note, in the last ten years they have done much trenching
in the NM area and have dated the last several earthquakes-I don't remember the
details.
Steve
Steve,
I relocated not along ago to Alabama from SOuthwest Indiana and had
several opportunities while in the Midwest to drift over to the New Madrid and
Reelfoot Lake areas. I recall there was also some research going on relative
to the Wabash fault, which runs down the Wabash River.
The Tecumseh story in Alabama is also connected to the Comet of 1811,
which was one of the brightest of the century. The legend has always held that
the combination of earthquakes and a bright comet added such support to
Tecumseh's claims of mystic guidance that large numbers of the Creeks rose up
in revolt.
The comet part of the story does not appear to have been true, as the comet
was seen in the South before Tecumseh supposedly threatened to display his "arm
of fire" in the sky. The earthquake part I have yet to resolve.
Dale
Hi, Dale
> The legend has always held that the combination of earthquakes and a bright
> comet added such support to Tecumseh's claims of mystic guidance that large
> numbers of the Creeks rose up in revolt.
Is that where the "…if the Creeks don't rise" saying came from? <G> (Sorry,
we just had 4 to 7 inches of rain here in the last 24 hours.)
Later, Guy
Guy,
And I thought I had a wharped sense of humor!
Dale
Dale,
There were three major quakes along the New Madrid fault complex in the winter
of 1811-1812. Obviously there weren't any seismologists or seismographs back
then <g>, but from physical evidence, seismologists have concluded that they
were the most powerful earthquakes on the North American continent since white
men came here. I've seen estimates of their magnitude ranging from 8.3 to
around 8.8 or 8.9.
The effects were extensive and far reaching. The original town of New madrid,
built on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, was destroyed. Several
other cities were seriously damaged, but because none of them were large, the
death toll was very low.
The river itself actually ran backwards for some hours following one quake. The
groundwaves made churchbells ring in a couple of east Coast cities. Many parts
of the Mississippi's riverbed were permanently altered.
That's about all I know. Hope it helps.
Jon W.
Jon,
Would you happen to know the dates for the three quakes you mention.
Knowing the chronology of the events would help me tremendously.
Thanks for the info.
Dale
THERE IS AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE THAT GIVES THE DATES ETC OF THE NEW MADRID
EARTHQUAKES IN ONE OF LAST YEARS OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAGAZINES. THE INFO
IS AT SCHOOL BUT I WILL BRING THE ARTICLE HOME TOMORROW AND SEND YOU THE INFO.
Joan,
Would love to get the dates from the article you mentioned. Your
assistance would be greatly appreciated!
Dale
Dale, the USGS has a free circular (No. 1066) entitled "Tecumseh's prophecy:
Preparing for the Next New Madrid Earthquake" which has a wealth of info that
you would probably find useful. It is edited by Robert M Hamilton & Arch C.
Johnson, dated 1990. I'm sure you can get it by the Circular No. USGS,
Federal Center, Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225
Regards, Dick Gibson
Dick,
I appreciate the information and will definitely send for the publica- tion.
Dale