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Scenario Earthquakes

The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut offers individuals, schools, businesses, governments, and communities an opportunity to prepare themselves before a damaging earthquake strikes.

To aid in the development of self-led earthquake drills, we have created several earthquake scenarios for your use. These scenarios are briefly described in the ShakeOut Drill Manuals located on the ShakeOut Resources page. They are intended to give you a brief look at what a damaging earthquake might look like in this part of the country.

We have three scenarios available for your use:

Please Note: These scenarios are provided for planning purposes only and are not intended to be representative of what may or may not happen in a real earthquake, which is impossible to predict with certainty. Earthquake damage and shaking intensity is dependant on a variety of factors. In as much, these scenarios are supplied to help you think through a planning process of how you might react in an earthquake.

Earthquake Hazard Information - USGS Publications

Putting down Roots in Earthquake Country - Your Handbook for Earthquakes in the Central United States

Bicentennial of the 1811—1812 New Madrid Earthquake Sequence December 2011—2012

Earthquake Hazard in the New Madrid Seismic Zone Remains a Concern



















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The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut