I taught elementary school in Kentucky in the 80s and 90s. In 1990, there was a prediction of another earthquake along the New Madrid fault line. Stories were resurrected of the Mississippi River reversing course and widespread flooding. I taught in Lexington which was far enough away to be only mildly concerned, but many schools in Western Kentucky made news because they closed for the 2-day stretch around the prediction. I suspect this was also true for other nearby states. The schools closed in large part because of money. Parents made afraid by the prediction were going to keep their children close and at home and school attendance which affected school funding would be significantly diminished. It turned out to be a nice 2-day holiday for those kids. Nothing happened other than stories of things being closed and nothing happening. I don't doubt the region will experience another earthquake at some point.
Fascinating as always!
FYI, I think you missed a zero at the end of the Cambrian timing: more like 510M than 51M years ago.
Whoops! Well at least you know it was human written 😅
Geography may bight, but deep time bites :)
I taught elementary school in Kentucky in the 80s and 90s. In 1990, there was a prediction of another earthquake along the New Madrid fault line. Stories were resurrected of the Mississippi River reversing course and widespread flooding. I taught in Lexington which was far enough away to be only mildly concerned, but many schools in Western Kentucky made news because they closed for the 2-day stretch around the prediction. I suspect this was also true for other nearby states. The schools closed in large part because of money. Parents made afraid by the prediction were going to keep their children close and at home and school attendance which affected school funding would be significantly diminished. It turned out to be a nice 2-day holiday for those kids. Nothing happened other than stories of things being closed and nothing happening. I don't doubt the region will experience another earthquake at some point.