During the month of April, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is highlighting earthquake preparedness as part of its 12-Month Preparedness Campaign. While most people are familiar with the earthquake hazard along the West Coast of the U.S., many are not aware that one of the most powerful earthquakes to ever occur in the continental U.S. was centered near the town of New Madrid in southeastern Missouri during the winter of 1811-1812.

Southern Illinois lies within two mid-continental seismic zones. The New Madrid Seismic Zone stretches from Illinois to Mississippi along the Central Mississippi River Valley, while the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone is located between southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana. While the greatest earthquake risks lie in these areas, earthquakes have occurred throughout Illinois.

For more information about the earthquake threat in Illinois and what you can do to prepare, check out the "Earthquakes in Illinois" section on the IEMA website.