New Madrid Earthquake 2024. This animation depicts simulated ground motion of the earth’s surface that could occur in the central u.s. Stretching 150 miles long, the new madrid zone extends into portions of seven states:

There are hundreds of minor earthquakes each year in missouri’s new madrid seismic zone (nmsz), but most of them are too small for people living in the area to feel. 16, 1811, new madrid — a small frontier settlement of 400 people on land now located in missouri — was jolted awake.