The Great Red Comet

Issue # 45: Volume 5

Gulf of Mexico Quake: What Next?

The U.S. Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center is reported a 6.0 magnitude earthquake had occurred in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 250 miles WSW of Anna Maria, Florida.  Tremors were reportedly felt in the Tampa Bay Area and as far north as North Carolina. The quake occurred at the epicenter at approximately 10:56 a.m. Sunday morning, Sept. 10. Some people are talking about this quake as a possible precursor to bigger events to come in the gulf and throughout the Southeastern U.S. Some are wondering if the latest shock wave could be contributed to seismic events occuring within the New Madrid fault line.

New Madrid Fault

The New Madrid Seismic zone lies within the central Mississippi Valley, extending from northeast Arkansas, through southeast Missouri, western Tennessee, western Kentucky to southern Illinois. Historically, this area has been the site of some of the largest earthquakes in North America. Between 1811 and 1812, 4 catastrophic earthquakes, with magnitude estimates greater than 7.0, occurred during a 3-month period. Hundreds of aftershocks followed over a period of several years. The largest earthquakes to have occurred since then were on January 4, 1843 and October 31, 1895 with magnitude estimates of 6.0 and 6.2 respectively.

In addition to these events, seven events of magnitude >= 5.0 have occurred in the area. Instruments were installed in and around this area in 1974 to closely monitor seismic activity. Since then, more than 4000 earthquakes have been located, most of which are too small to be felt. On average one earthquake per year will be large enough to be felt in the area.

Tsunami Warning

In addition to concerns about earthquakes in the gulf states, one now has to be worried about a high tsunami risk as well.The northern Caribbean may be at a high risk for a major tsunami, based on historical records that date back to Columbus’ arrival in 1492.

A tsunami in this region could affect more than 35 million people on the islands of the Greater and Lesser Antilles and along the east and Gulf coasts of the United States.  The danger has been highlighted in previous research.

The major source for past tsunamis in the northern Caribbean has been movement along the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates. This fault line stretches 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) from Central America to the Lesser Antilles, brushing up against the north coast of Hispaniola (the island of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.)

Records has shown that significant natural events, including major earthquakes, tsunamies and volcanic eruptions have occurred on the American continent in our past, and will continue to do so, on an even larger scale at some point in our near future. The question is whether we are physically and mentally prepared to cope with these natural occurances before they actually happen.

**Stay tuned to The Great Red Comet and Earth Frenzy Radio for the latest most accurate breaking earth news which affects us all.

The Wrath Of God - Killer Quakes (History Channel)

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