Would you be ready if a earthquake struck this region? Recently, the U.S. Geological Survey announced updates to it's U.S. National Seismic Hazard Maps which haven't been updated since 2008. You might be surprised at some of the earthquake prone areas that turned up including the state of Arkansas.These maps used by engineers and architects for building and bridge construction provides information in case our nation is hit by an earthquake. The maps let engineers know the frequency, and severity of a quake if it were to occur.

The new maps reveal that 42 out of 50 U.S. states "have a reasonable chance of experiencing damaging ground shaking from an earthquake in 50 years," with 16 of these states having a "relatively high likelihood" of a more damaging quake.

We've all sort of been conditioned over time to believe that this area is not prone to earthquakes or seismic type activity. We have always been taught that earthquakes are more likely to occur on the East & West coast which is still a likelihood but with these new findings it could happen just about anywhere, anytime.

The 16 states with the highest quake risk include  Alaska, Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

 

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