Geoarchaeological evidence of strong prehistoric earthquakes in the New Madrid (Missouri) seismic zone

Journal Article · Sun Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1991 · Geology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0296:GEOSPE>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:5524243

Saucier, R T ^[1]

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1. Army Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS (USA)

Sand blows and fissures that cover >10,500 km{sup 2} in northeastern Arkansas and southeastern Missouri attest to the severity of the 1811-1812 earthquake series in the New Madrid seismic zone. However, except for one occurence near New Madrid, Missouri, the region has been devoid of any evidence of other major shocks for at least 1.3 ka prior to 1811 and possibly for >9 ka. Stratigraphic relations and radiocarbon dating at a recently excavated archaeological site near East Prairie, Missouri, have revealed liquifaction phenomena attributable to a shock dated to within about 100 yr prior to A.D. 539 and a probable second one dated between about A.D. 539 and 991.

• OSTI ID: 5524243
• Journal Information: Geology; (USA), Journal Name: Geology; (USA) Vol. 19:4; ISSN GLGYB; ISSN 0091-7613
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
AGE ESTIMATION
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
ARKANSAS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBON 14
CARBON ISOTOPES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EARTHQUAKES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION VI
FEDERAL REGION VII
GEOLOGIC FISSURES
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
ISOTOPE DATING
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
LIQUEFACTION
MAPS
MISSOURI
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
SAND
SEISMIC EFFECTS
SEISMIC EVENTS
SOILS
STRATIGRAPHY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
USA
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES