Earthquake Scenario
Central U.S. Earthquake
Background
At 10:15AM local time, a damaging earthquake strikes along the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) in the central region of the United States. The epicenter is determined in the Bootheel of Missouri. The most damaging shaking occurs in Northeastern Arkansas, Western Tennessee, the Bootheel of Missouri, Western Kentucky, and Southern Illinois. Less severe but still damaging shaking occurs in an area stretching from St. Louis, Missouri southward to Grenada, Mississippi and from Little Rock, Arkansas east to Nashville, Tennessee. Seismologists measure the earthquake a magnitude 6.5, making it the largest earthquake to hit the region since 1895. Ground shaking from the main shock lasts for approximately 45 seconds in some areas. Aftershocks of varying intensity are felt throughout the region for several days after the main shock, and cause further damage to structures already weakened by previous shaking. Tremors are felt as far away as the east coast of the United States, and damage is seen in at least eight states.
Direct Earthquake Damage
As a result of this earthquake, there are more than 2,500 people with injuries requiring hospitalization and an estimated 100 fatalities. Thousands others receive injuries requiring minor medical attention. Most of the injuries are caused by objects (bookshelves, topheavy furniture, appliances, and electronics) falling on people. Other injuries are caused by walking on broken or falling glass, people who were trying to walk or run during the earthquake, and were injured by pieces of buildings falling on them and they were thrown to the ground, many suffering broken bones.
Thousands are missing or separated from their families. Thousands of earthquake victims homes and possessions are destroyed or damaged, causing many to seek short term shelter. Partial levee collapses and high water conditions due to heavy spring rains result in flooding along the Mississippi River, displacing hundreds of people. Most of the region is experiencing shortages of essential supplies, such as fresh food, bottled water, fuel, and generators.
Damaged bridges and roadways and damage to shipping vessels cause oil and hazardous material (HAZMAT) contamination in cities, towns, waterways, and farmland in the affected area. The Mississippi River experiences a brief uplifting of its riverbed, causing temporary appearance of reverseflow.
Across the affected states widespread damage occurs to drinking water distribution and wastewater collection systems as well as treatment facilities, the national power grid, oil and natural gas pipelines, and roadways. Large structural fires break out because of damage to gas pipelines.
Due to the nature of the geology in the Mississippi River Valley, shaking and soil liquefaction of land surrounding the fault line caused the following:
- Localized flooding in lowlying areas with river bed changes along the Mississippi River
- Compromised or damaged bridges, roads, railroad bridges and tracks, buildings, and other
Discuss where you were in the area. Then based on your education, knowledge, and skills discuss how you might intervene in the next days or weeks to assist your community in some way. Be sure to utilize your cite your research from at least 5 professional journals.
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