Reelfoot Rift
intraplate — 300 km
The Reelfoot Rift is an ancient failed rift (aulacogen) buried beneath the Mississippi Embayment. Though it formed over 500 million years ago, it remains a zone of weakness in the continental crust that concentrates stress, generating the powerful New Madrid earthquake sequence of 1811-1812.
Type
intraplate
Length
300 km
Countries
1
Linked Cities
2
Last Major Earthquake
M7.5 — New Madrid, Missouri (1812-02-07)
Affected Countries
Cities Near This Fault
General tectonic context only—not a site-specific hazard assessment. Live event data: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.