The map below is a seismic hazard map of the continental United States produced by the USGS. The red bull's eye covering the bootheel of Missouri is the New Madrid Seismic Zone. In this lesson, we will learn about the 1811-12 earthquake sequence in the New Madrid Seismic Zone and discuss the controversy regarding the extent of seismic risk in the central United States today. We will learn how to estimate earthquake recurrence interval using a variety of methods.
Most people on the West Coast of the United States who live near faults or volcanoes (or both) are somewhat familiar with the risks involved with these phenomena. Far fewer East Coast dwellers have felt an earthquake. However, the central U.S. is actually fairly seismically active for a continental interior. This region has experienced large earthquakes in the past and these may happen again. How should residents of this area plan for a potential earthquake hazard? In this lesson, we will explore intraplate seismicity and the New Madrid region in particular. We'll use seismic catalogs to estimate earthquake recurrence interval and we'll discuss the scientific controversy surrounding the potential for large earthquakes in this region.
By the end of Lesson 4 you should be able to:
Lesson 4 will take three weeks to complete. 9 -29 Oct 2019. You will complete reading assignments by the end of the first week. You'll submit the data analyses at the end of the second week. The team reading and discussion assignments will take place over the second week. The whole class paper discussion and the teaching and learning discussion will take place during the third week. The fact sheet paper is due at the end of the third week. See the table below for complete details.
Requirement | Submitted for Grading? | Due Date |
---|---|---|
Reading: "The Mississippi Valley Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812: Intensities, Ground Motion, and Magnitudes" | No | 15 Oct (end of 1st week) |
Reading: "Earthquake hazard in the heart of the homeland" | No | 15 Oct (end of 1st week) |
Reading: series of papers about glacial rebound, failed rift, and the Farallon slab. | No | 15 Oct (end of 1st week) |
Problem set: Earthquake catalog data analyses | Yes - Submitted to "Earthquake catalog problem set" assignment in Canvas | 22 Oct (end of 2nd week) |
Reading/Discussion: "Debating hazard at New Madrid" | Yes - Graded group discussion in Canvas | participation spanning 16 - 22 Oct (2nd week) |
Reading/Discussion: "Debating hazard at New Madrid" | Yes - Graded whole-class discussion in Canvas | participation spanning 23 - 29 Oct (3rd week) |
Paper: NMSZ Fact Sheet paper | Yes - Submitted to the "Fact Sheet Paper" assignment in Canvas | 29 Oct (end of 3rd week) |
Discussion: "Teaching and Learning About Earthquakes" | Yes - graded whole class to the "Teaching and Learning About Earthquakes" discussion forum in Canvas | participation spanning 23 - 29 Oct (3rd week) |
If you have any questions, please post them to our Questions? discussion forum (not e-mail). I will check that discussion forum daily to respond. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses if you, too, are able to help out a classmate.