The New Madrid fault can cause a major earthquake today.

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

8 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that the New Madrid fault can cause a major earthquake today?

Yes. A reference overview states the New Madrid fault system caused the 1811–1812 quakes and has the potential to produce large earthquakes in the future. Other sources document past large events, ongoing seismicity, and hazard modeling consistent with that potential.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 8 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 18 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Evidence for · 8

Triggered Earthquakes and the 1811–1812 New Madrid, Central United States, Earthquake Sequence

2001

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E., H. S. (2001). Triggered Earthquakes and the 1811–1812 New Madrid, Central United States, Earthquake Sequence. authors.library.caltech.edu. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120000259

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More for · 7

Long-term Cyclicities in Earthquake Energy Release and Major River Flow Volumes in Virginia and Missouri Seismic Zones

1988

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Long-term Cyclicities in Earthquake Energy Release and Major River Flow Volumes in Virginia and Missouri Seismic Zones. (1988). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.59.4.279

Microseismic Swarm Activity in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

2012

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Microseismic Swarm Activity in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. (2012). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120100315

Stressing of the New Madrid Seismic Zone by a lower crust detachment fault

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Stressing of the New Madrid Seismic Zone by a lower crust detachment fault. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1029/97jb02716

Strong motion modeling at the Paducah Diffusion Facility for a large New Madrid earthquake

1991

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R.B., H. (1991). Strong motion modeling at the Paducah Diffusion Facility for a large New Madrid earthquake. inis.iaea.org. https://inis.iaea.org/records/2bdvp-be027

Integrated geophysical and geological study of the tectonic framework of the 38th parallel lineament in the vicinity of its intersection with the extension of the New Madrid fault zone. Annual progress report, fiscal year 1979

1979

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L.W., B., W.J., H., & J.L., S. (1979). Integrated geophysical and geological study of the tectonic framework of the 38th parallel lineament in the vicinity of its intersection with the extension of the New Madrid fault zone. Annual progress report, fiscal year 1979. inis.iaea.org. https://inis.iaea.org/records/h583r-pe523

New Madrid seismic zone

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New Madrid seismic zone. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Madrid_seismic_zone

A Two-Dimensional Numerical Model for Current Seismicity in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

2004

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A Two-Dimensional Numerical Model for Current Seismicity in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. (2004). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.75.3.406

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