WEINGARTEN, Mo. – A very small earthquake was reported just west of St. Genevieve, Missouri by the USGS late Sunday night. It was recorded just over three miles northwest of Weingarten, Missouri at 10:38 p.m. The earthquake reached a depth of 3.16 miles and was measured at a magnitude of 1.9 on the Richter scale. There are no reported damages or injuries.
Despite its low magnitude, the earthquake serves as a reminder of how active the New Madrid Seismic Zone is. It has a history of producing earthquakes
The New Madrid Seismic Zone extends across several states in the central United States and is one of the most seismically active regions in North America outside of the western United States. Historical records indicate that in 1811 and 1812, a series of powerful earthquakes with magnitudes estimated to be as high as 7.0 or greater struck the region, causing widespread damage and alterations to the geography of the area.
