2nd Largest New Madrid Quake of 2024 Just Shook Missouri Sunday

The New Madrid Fault had an unexpected event Sunday night with southeastern Missouri experiencing the 2nd largest quake of 2024 so far.

The USGS has confirmed a quake hit the New Madrid Fault in southeastern Missouri Sunday night at 9:07pm. After being reviewed by a seismologist, it was upgraded from a 2.7 to a 2.8 in magnitude. The epicenter was right across the river from New Madrid, Missouri near Tiptonville, Tennessee.

While a 2.8 magnitude quake is no big deal, it does register as the 2nd largest New Madrid quake of 2024 so far. The largest earthquake of the year in this region was a 3.8 magnitude quake that hit on May 16, 2024.

The irony is this notable quake is just days away from the Great American Shakeout where the entire region will simulate the response to a hypothetical major New Madrid quake on October 17.

So far there are reports that this 2.8 magnitude quake was felt by many in southeastern Missouri, but this quake isn't even close to the type of event that would do any damage. If nothing else, it's a gentle reminder of the seismically active part of the world we live in and the need to be mentally prepared for a more destructive event which is possible someday.