New Madrid Earthquakes

Location:
In Missouri near the junction of the Ohio & Mississippi Rivers

History:
- site of more than 1,000 earthquakes
- Used to be a settlement for Native Americans because of its location
- Later became part of the LA Purchase and eventually became a town in the state of Missouri

Geologic Features/Formation

• A faulting caused the buildup of pressure in crust
• Erosion of surface material caused warmer, expanding rocks below overcome the rocks above
• Down-cutting of the Mississippi River

It is an example of catastrophism because earthquakes damage land around them and destroy Earth's features that are near by.

The New Madrid Earthquakes are a destructive force because they destroy features on Earth's surface and damage the Earth rather than building it up.