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Earthquake Hazards

200th Anniversary of the 1811-1812 New Madrid Earthquakes

200 years ago, on December 16, 1811, many throughout the populated areas of the U.S. were awakened by violent shaking at about 2:15 am followed by another violent shaking about 8 am. This was the first of the three New Madrid faults to release energy estimated in the mid-7 magnitude. These 3 faults run from about Cairo, Illinois down to Marked Tree, Arkansas. Read more about the earthquakes

Recent Earthquake Januuary 30, 2012

Epicenters of recent Northeastern Illinois Earthquakes. Click for larger view.

Near 10 pm Monday night an earthquake occurred on the east side of McHenry, IL. It was a magnitude 2.4 at a depth of about 3 miles. Over 500 people reported to the U.S. Geological Survey on their "Did You Feel It?" site. It was mostly felt in McHenry County and western Lake County Illinois. Read more about the earthquake

Recent Earthquake February 10, 2010

An earthquake hit right before 4 a.m., February 10, 2010 about 2 miles northwest of Lily Lake in Kane County and was located about 6 miles below the ground surface. This would be in the layers of granite below Chicago. The magnitude was first reported as 4.3 but was later downgraded to 3.8. The earthquake was felt in 8 states and was reported by about 18,000 people.
Read more about the earthquake