Recent earthquakes cause tremors of fear in Memphians

The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile have caused endless damage, some of it irreparable. Plus, countless numbers of people have died, and many more are now homeless. The devastation resulting from these catastrophes, however, causes Memphians to consider this: What is the possibility that an earthquake just as horrifying could strike Memphis?

Historical precedent says “very high.” Memphis lies on the New Madrid fault line, which became the site of four major earthquakes in 1811 and 1812, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). People from as far away as Washington, D.C., and Charleston, SC, felt the earthquakes, which caused damage over an area of 600,000 square kilometers.

These earthquakes hit Memphis particularly hard. The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) said that “the crew of a steamboat mooring overnight along a Mississippi River island reportedly awoke to find the island had disappeared below the water.” ABC also reported that the quake was “so strong the Mississippi River reportedly flowed backward.”

Conflicted views abound in the city about whether or not any earthquakes of this magnitude will hit the region.

Some citizens remain skeptical that the wreckage of Haiti and Chile could possibly ever reach the city of Memphis. They may believe that earthquakes of truly devastating magnitude only happen on the Pacific Coast and in other places west of the Mississippi. However, the fact remains that the New Madrid fault line on which Memphis lies “is among the most active in the country,” according to ABC.

In preparation for such an event, Shelby County Schools has regularly-scheduled earthquake drills during the school year.

However, some people may question the validity of holding earthquake drills. After all, Memphis has not had a major earthquake in several years.

“Seismologists sometimes have a hard time measuring earthquakes,” assistant principal Ken Demetriou said. “We could have one tomorrow; we could have one 200 years from now.”

Not only Memphians are beginning to worry, but also scientists and citizens worldwide, and for a more severe reason. Officials from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said that the earthquake in Chile was so strong, and occurred at just the right place, that it has literally shifted the Earth’s balance, which is centered around the figure axis, not the north-south axis.

NASA research scientist Richard Gross’ findings from the Chile earthquake reveals that the figure axis has shifted approximately three inches, potentially shortening a regular Earth day by 1.26 milliseconds.

Concern remains high as scientists and world leaders ponder what actions they should take to minimize the damage that future earthquakes may cause.