Part 4/9:
Seismic Activity Today
Fast forward more than two centuries, and seismic risk in the New Madrid area has escalated dramatically. Currently, about five million people inhabit the region, creating a vulnerability that many experts believe could mean a catastrophic outcome should similarly powerful earthquakes strike again.
Estimates suggest there’s a 10% chance of a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurring in the next 50 years, with a substantial portion of the population at risk. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the geological structure of the area, which can amplify seismic waves, resulting in broader impact than equivalent quakes in more fractured regions of the country.