Small earthquake in St. Louis on Thursday, could more follow?

People near St. Charles, Missouri might have gotten an early wake-up call on Thursday morning. A small earthquake , registering 2.6 on the Richter Scale, struck around 3:30 a.m.

While Thursday’s earthquake wasn’t an issue, the question looms, ‘When will the next big one hit?’

A 2.6 earthquake would feel more like a large truck passing, or distant thunder. It falls below the threshold of a minor earthquake. While Thursday’s earthquake was the first in St. Louis this week, 10 earthquakes near the New Madrid Seismic Zone have struck this week.

For decades, the New Madrid fault has been a topic of discussion about when the next big earthquake will happen. In 1990, a scientist claimed they had pinpointed the day and December 10, 1990, was when New Madrid, Missouri would be hit with a large earthquake. Reporters camped out, shirts were sold, and people were left waiting for something that never happened.

The 1990 earthquake never happened, but that’s not to say a large earthquake has never hit the Bootheel area. In 1811, one of the strongest earthquakes in United States history had an epicenter in New Madrid, Missouri.

The 1811 earthquake was so strong it caused the Mississippi River to flow backward and volcanoes of red clay mud to spout from the ground.

With the history of the New Madrid Fault, and the current activity, the state of Missouri is urging people to stay aware. Registrations for the 2024 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut earthquake drill is now open.

Missouri ShakeOut will be held at 10:17 a.m. on October 17, 2024. Missouri is one of 14 participating states.

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