One of the worst earthquake sequences ever recorded in North America started at 2 a.m. On Dec. 16, 1811. The quake, up to 8.2 on the Richter Scale was centered three miles underneath the ground in present-day Blytheville, according to geologists. A series of more powerful earthquakes followed in the coming months centered near New Madrid, Mo. The rattling earth was so strong, it was reported to have moved church bells in New England and re-routed the Mississippi River.
Little damage was caused in Arkansas when the initial quake struck due to the fact that few people lived in the region. That’s not the case anymore and geologists agree on one thing – it’s not if another quake will strike the New Madrid Fault Zone that ends in Marked Tree, Ark., it’s a matter of when it will strike.