Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Illinois Quake? Wow

Today's 5.2 temblor is 'not unusual' for region, expert says

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 18, 2008 6:54 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – A geologist has sent a ripple of curiosity through the media by calling today's Illinois earthquake “not unusual," ABC News reports. The 5.2 temblor, which caused no injuries or major damage, is one of many the state has experienced since 1795. One rocked 500,000 square miles in 1909. "Is this an earthquake zone?" researcher Nano Seeber asked. "Yes."

New York, Boston, and Memphis are all earthquake zones too. And East Coast quakes can wreak more damage because soil and bedrock there lets waves travel farther. "The waves go through and go for a longer distance" in Midwestern and Eastern states, Seeber said. "It's well-known the same size earthquake can do a lot more damage."

Bricks from this chimney in Louisville, Ky., fell after the earthquake.
Bricks from this chimney in Louisville, Ky., fell after the earthquake.   (AP Photo)
Mike Dunkelcleans up damaged stock in his Mt. Carmel, Ill., liquor store Friday morning April 18, 2008 after early morning earthquake struck in the Midwest.
Mike Dunkelcleans up damaged stock in his Mt. Carmel, Ill., liquor store Friday morning April 18, 2008 after early morning earthquake struck in the Midwest.   (AP Photo/ Daniel R. Patmore)
The approximate epicenter, extent and seismic zone of origination of a magnitude-5.2 earthquake in the Midwest.
The approximate epicenter, extent and seismic zone of origination of a magnitude-5.2 earthquake in the Midwest.   (AP Photo)
Tim Kusky, director of the Center for Environmental Sciences at Saint Louis University, points to seismic data.
Tim Kusky, director of the Center for Environmental Sciences at Saint Louis University, points to seismic data.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
An emergency vehicle waits at the scene where rubble from earthquake damage lies strewn along a sidewalk.
An emergency vehicle waits at the scene where rubble from earthquake damage lies strewn along a sidewalk.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Quake likely to rock Calif.
Associated Press

Ill. quake shook things up
Associated Press

US

 
Midwest • Illinois • Richter scale • natural disaster • earthquake

More Newser Stories

Another Earthquake Shakes Up Illinois

Chile Quake Shifted Earth's Axis, Shortened Day

6.0 Quake Shakes Guatemala, but No Damage

Mild 5.2 Earthquake Shakes Up Chicago

Big Quake Will Rock Calif. by 2038: Study
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne