On Shaky Ground: The New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-1812 (Missouri Heritage Readers)

by Norma Hayes Bagnall

Although most Americans associate earthquakes with California, the tremors that shook the Mississippi valley in southeast Missouri from December 16, 1811, through February 7, 1812, are among the most violent quakes to hit the North American continent in recorded history. Collectively known as the New Madrid earthquakes, these quakes affected more than 1 million square miles. By comparison, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake affected only 60,000 square miles, less than one-sixteenth the area of the New Madrid earthquakes. Scientists believe that each of the three greatest tremors would have measured more than 8.0 on the Richter scale, had that measuring device been in place in 1811. Vibrations were felt from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coast and from Mexico to Canada. The quake zone was in constant movement during this period. Five towns in three states disappeared, islands vanished in the Mississippi River, lakes formed where there had been none before, and the river flowed backward for a brief period. Providing eyewitness accounts from people both on the land and on the river, Bagnall captures the fears of the residents through their tales about the smells and dark vapors that filled the air, the cries of the people, the bawling of animals, and the constant roar of the river and its collapsing banks. On Shaky Ground also traces the history of the founding of New Madrid and considers the impact of the earthquakes on population and land in southeast Missouri. Predictions for future earthquakes along the New Madrid fault, as well as instructions on preparing for and surviving a quake, are also included. Informative, clearly written, and well illustrated, On Shaky Ground will be of interest to all general readers, especially those interested in earthquakes or Missouri history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

Reviews

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed two ratings for this book. The formatting rated maybe three. The informational part rated the four.
Living in Missouri people talk about the New Madrid earthquake of 1811. Supposedly the Mississippi River ran backwards for days. What are the facts? This slim volume explodes a lot of myths.
There were almost 2000 earthquakes in the New Madrid area beginning in December, 1811, and ending in February, 1812. The quakes still happen at a low level.
Of these earthquakes, five are now rated as being 8 to 8.5 on the Richter scale although the scale was not in use at that time. The ratings are based on information from the times of the quakes.
The quakes were felt as far away as New York City although five states were primarily affected. The river might have run backward between a couple of islands for a time. What is known is that two waterfalls appeared for days, then vanished. The river level rose to flood level and over then dropped to expose the river bed several times.
No one knows how many people were killed. Several towns vanished into the river.
This information and much more are found in this volume.
The book is easy reading, if somewhat text bookish. The pictures are interesting especially of the sand boils still visible today.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book On Shaky Ground the author provides a compilation of facts, science, social history, and first-hand accounts of people shook, killed, unrooted, and changed by the New Madrid Earthquakes Of 1811-1812. This is An enjoyable look at the first documented earthquake of its magnitude in the region.

This book is a good look at history and an enjoyable read for family historians and genealogists.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part was the info about the actual quake itself. Eyewitness stories are great, but after that the book's info got kinda bland and less of a page turner. Too much info on the Richter scale etc. Illustrations were not that great, a fact I attribute to black and white photos looking faded and washed out in the book. I would suggest skimming.

[Sally Kilpatrick]

If this was a children's book, I don't care. File it under "interesting" and "research."

[Timothy Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was charming. Certainly not an in-depth study, but it had some nice personal story-line from the author. As far as I could tell, there wasn't really all that much to tell about this earthquake: less than 2,000 people lived in New Madrid when the quakes happened. At 100-pages-even of big font, I finished this off in an afternoon.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplistic overview of the earthquakes, timelines, and events plus current information on area as of publication. Some interesting informational tidbits. Quick read.