Now this is an interesting story, Zenbuoy, and one that I know a little bit about. In 1811 and 1812 this area was hit with three major quakes and thousands of aftershocks. Considering the population at the time, the destruction was minimal and limited. That will not be the case this time. Consider these facts:
1. The Mississippi has changed course several times, and did during the quakes.
2. The land surrounding the Mississippi is mostly consisted of silt from flooding and course changes and, therefore, susceptible to liquefaction.
3. The Mississippi is a hot bed for manufacturing and industry, including many kinds of chemicals.
4. Nuclear power plants throughout the Midwest are located on rivers and tributaries for their source of cooling. Now imagine the water being diverted due to land convulsions, etc., not to mention widespread destruction of lands, roads and structures, both personal and industrial.
5. The earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 were felt in and caused damage up and down the east coast and as far north as Chicago. The affected area was 8+ times that of the San Francisco quake.
Now imagine the middle of the US totally obliterated by toxic poisoning, interstate and local travel interrupted, nuclear power plants either shut down, melting down, or in control of the bad guys. Shipping and manufacturing will come to a complete halt. Water will be tainted everywhere. Disease and pollution will flow with the rivers and spread as it progresses. Wind patterns and rivers will carry those poisons and possible radiation much further than the epicenter. The numbers of dead will be staggering. Hospital and medical facilities will more than likely be useless in any of the metropolitan areas.
It is estimated that should an earthquake occur with today's population and the vital role the Mississippi plays in moving goods up and down the US and for shipping east to west, it will virtually split the US into two separate entities. Bartering for one what side has and the other side needs will undoubtedly lead to factions of opportunists, who typically are not interested in anyone but themselves, not to mention the local struggle for survivability.
Now I’m certain there are many more gory facts that I’ve left out, and feel free to add them to the list of potential horrors. If we thought Katrina was a disaster, her aftermath will pale in comparison. I'm so glad my family is only 100+ miles from the Canadian border in Minnesota. They will, at least, be on the fringe.![]()