October 2014 - On Shaky Ground
Talk Missouri Readers
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2lindapanzo
Same here. There's a bit of interesting info but these New Reader books are hard for me to judge. Still, I'm glad I read it.
I recall the one and only time I was near New Madrid. We were driving from Chicagoland down to Tunica, MS. As we drove past New Madrid, we were all keeping our fingers crossed that there'd be no earthquakes while we were there. When we were far enough past it, we stopped for lunch in Blytheville, Ark, which, as I learned, was actually the epi-center.
Another thing I learned is that this wasn't a single earthquake but a number of them, over several months. The parts about how far away it was felt were interesting, as well as the fact that, if something were to happen today, Memphis would be harder hit than St Louis.
I recall the one and only time I was near New Madrid. We were driving from Chicagoland down to Tunica, MS. As we drove past New Madrid, we were all keeping our fingers crossed that there'd be no earthquakes while we were there. When we were far enough past it, we stopped for lunch in Blytheville, Ark, which, as I learned, was actually the epi-center.
Another thing I learned is that this wasn't a single earthquake but a number of them, over several months. The parts about how far away it was felt were interesting, as well as the fact that, if something were to happen today, Memphis would be harder hit than St Louis.
3sjmccreary
The one and only time I was near New Madrid, on our way to Mobile, Ala, I was more interested in noticing Sikeston, MO. I had recently done some work for a client there, but all our contact was by mail and phone, so I'd never actually been there or met the woman I was working with. I was aware of the earthquake zone, but didn't know what to look for in terms of visual clues. I'd kind of like to go back now that I know a little more about it.
I don't know that I gained any new information from this book. A couple of years ago, after we'd read When the Mississippi Ran Backwards, I was interested to learn more about the fault zone and the earthquakes and read 2 of the books by David Stewart - whom she often referred to in this book. His books had tons of information, much of which was repeated here, but I liked the presentation here better. This book had a better editor!
Living as close as we do, I'm interested in the speculation about what the outcome would be in the region if another quake were to happen now. An entirely possible occurrence. Of course, no one can know for sure, but it seems certain that we would absolutely be able to feel it. Damage could be anywhere from a few cracked walls and loose objects moving around inside the house to seriously compromised bridges and damage to other large structures. Damage to individual homes might depend more on the nature of the soil on each site than anything else. (You can be sure that we carry earthquake coverage on our homeowner's insurance.) But, as you pointed out, Memphis would probably be the hardest hit major city. The bootheel is really pretty isolated from the rest of Missouri. One thing that Stewart pointed out in both his books is that I-55 runs practically on top of the fault line, and that many of the area's utilities and other critical infrastructure are located on very vulnerable sites. A major quake, like 1811-12, would be catastrophic.
Another thing that Stewart emphasized in his books that was not repeated in this one was about the low "official" death toll. This book repeated the standard rationale that the remoteness of the area resulted in very few deaths. Stewart believes that isn't entirely true. He claims that there were large populations of native Americans in the area, who are largely ignored when calculating casualties. He also points out that the river carried very heavy, unregulated traffic so it would be impossible to know how many lives might have been lost, unless someone was reported missing. He speculates that the actual death toll may have been many thousands higher than officially reported. An interesting argument, but he seems to be the only one making it.
I would be interested in reading more on this subject, if we can find a good book.
I don't know that I gained any new information from this book. A couple of years ago, after we'd read When the Mississippi Ran Backwards, I was interested to learn more about the fault zone and the earthquakes and read 2 of the books by David Stewart - whom she often referred to in this book. His books had tons of information, much of which was repeated here, but I liked the presentation here better. This book had a better editor!
Living as close as we do, I'm interested in the speculation about what the outcome would be in the region if another quake were to happen now. An entirely possible occurrence. Of course, no one can know for sure, but it seems certain that we would absolutely be able to feel it. Damage could be anywhere from a few cracked walls and loose objects moving around inside the house to seriously compromised bridges and damage to other large structures. Damage to individual homes might depend more on the nature of the soil on each site than anything else. (You can be sure that we carry earthquake coverage on our homeowner's insurance.) But, as you pointed out, Memphis would probably be the hardest hit major city. The bootheel is really pretty isolated from the rest of Missouri. One thing that Stewart pointed out in both his books is that I-55 runs practically on top of the fault line, and that many of the area's utilities and other critical infrastructure are located on very vulnerable sites. A major quake, like 1811-12, would be catastrophic.
Another thing that Stewart emphasized in his books that was not repeated in this one was about the low "official" death toll. This book repeated the standard rationale that the remoteness of the area resulted in very few deaths. Stewart believes that isn't entirely true. He claims that there were large populations of native Americans in the area, who are largely ignored when calculating casualties. He also points out that the river carried very heavy, unregulated traffic so it would be impossible to know how many lives might have been lost, unless someone was reported missing. He speculates that the actual death toll may have been many thousands higher than officially reported. An interesting argument, but he seems to be the only one making it.
I would be interested in reading more on this subject, if we can find a good book.
4cbl_tn
I think this book works well as an introduction to the earthquakes. It doesn't make any new claims - it just reviews the existing literature on the subject. I thought the photographs and illustrations were well chosen. I never felt like I needed to Google for images of things mentioned in the book like I sometimes do with other books.
I noticed that Knoxville is one of the places where the 1811-1812 earthquakes were felt. We would probably feel it here if/when there is another strong earthquake along the New Madrid fault, but we're far enough away that we probably wouldn't sustain major damage.
I was interested in the section describing the earthquake scare in 1990. I had just started working on my library science degree at UT and I remember hearing lots of talk about it. Some people I knew were purchasing or increasing their earthquake insurance and stocking up on disaster supplies. I remember being skeptical that an earthquake could be predicted accurately to the day.
I noticed that Knoxville is one of the places where the 1811-1812 earthquakes were felt. We would probably feel it here if/when there is another strong earthquake along the New Madrid fault, but we're far enough away that we probably wouldn't sustain major damage.
I was interested in the section describing the earthquake scare in 1990. I had just started working on my library science degree at UT and I remember hearing lots of talk about it. Some people I knew were purchasing or increasing their earthquake insurance and stocking up on disaster supplies. I remember being skeptical that an earthquake could be predicted accurately to the day.
5tloeffler
I did read the book on the bus back from Tunica, and it was kind of neat reading it while going through the areas it was talking about. "Oh, there's Caruthersville. Did you know that that was actually the epicenter of the earthquakes in 1811-1812??" I think my friend was getting just a little bit sick of me.
I did find this book fascinating. I hadn't read any of Stewart's stuff so I can't compare them, but there was a lot of good stuff in this book.
The day he predicted the earthquake would hit in 1990, I started a new job, and I was so concerned that if anything happened, I would be too far away from my kids (my other job had only been a few blocks away from the daycare). My husband at the time stockpiled gallons of water, and whatever it was that he jerry-rigged on the water heater is still there. I was also skeptical about being able to predict the day, but I didn't want to be the one who was wrong!
I did find this book fascinating. I hadn't read any of Stewart's stuff so I can't compare them, but there was a lot of good stuff in this book.
The day he predicted the earthquake would hit in 1990, I started a new job, and I was so concerned that if anything happened, I would be too far away from my kids (my other job had only been a few blocks away from the daycare). My husband at the time stockpiled gallons of water, and whatever it was that he jerry-rigged on the water heater is still there. I was also skeptical about being able to predict the day, but I didn't want to be the one who was wrong!
6tloeffler
Do we have a date yet for discussing Egan's Rats? I need to work it around my school books--they're killing me this term!
7sjmccreary
December 1 was suggested - but Dec 8 would be OK with me, too
8tloeffler
I doubt if I will have it finished by Dec 1--I have a paper due this week, and she ripped my last one to shreds, so I need to concentrate a little bit better on this. I'm like 6 chapters behind in my school books, but I'm learning that sometimes I can do the assignments without reading the chapters!
But whatever works for you guys. I can always chime in late, as usual!
But whatever works for you guys. I can always chime in late, as usual!
9sjmccreary
I'm not sure I will have even begun reading by Dec 1. I'm confident I won't be finished. Concentrate on school. We can discuss the book later.
