Over 500 professionals and earthquake experts gather for 6th annual Earthquake Summit
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI)- Earthquake experts from across the region are gathering at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, for the sixth annual Earthquake Summit.
Located in the Bootheel of southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau is in the heart of the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
The event took place at the Show Me Center and community members and citizen’s came out to learn about earthquake risks in Southeast Missouri.
Jeff Briggs Earthquake Program Manager, with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency led the beginning of the program.
“This is now the largest event in the country that brings these groups together.” says Briggs.
With approximately 500 professionals in attendance, the event has grown into one of the largest in the country focusing on earthquake preparedness, response and recovery.
Scientists, planners, researchers and emergency responders led sessions focused on the latest earthquake geology, best practices in planning and response, transportation technologies, hospital and health services, communication strategies, hazardous materials challenges and more.
The summit ran from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and guest speakers explained the earthquake risks of the New Madrid seismic zone. Citizen’s learned how an earthquake would affect transportation, utilities, public health, first responders and more.
Briggs says “So the experts say that since it’s an active seismic zone and it’s got a history of big quakes that it’s only a matter of time before we get earthquakes again so when that does happen it’s going to be the largest natural disaster we’ve ever seen.”
The New Madrid Seismic Zone is the most active seismic zone in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains, averaging more than 200 small earthquakes each year. In 1811 to 1812, it produced some of the strongest earthquakes ever felt in North America.
While no one can predict exactly when an earthquake will occur, scientists agree that large earthquakes in this zone still pose a risk.
Art Goodin with the Missouri Department of Natural resources attended the summit.
“There are four or five states that are going to be impacted by the New Madrid seismic zone right, and when that happens it’s going to be a really big deal and when that happens were going to have to work together.”
The summit not only educates people on what could happen but allows community partners to share plans and information with each other on how they can work together if a massive earthquake hits.
“Also, lets folks’ network and share knowledge and build the networks that were going to need to respond to emergency’s when they happen.” said Goodin.
A nationwide drill is held in October each year called the great US Shake Out.
People all over the us participate in a safety drill at the same time to practice earthquake readiness.
For more information on the great US Shake Out.
