What are the

Risks?

Factors to
Consider

Generally, the larger the magnitude

of the earthquake, the larger the area
affected, and the more damage
spread. Also, the closer to the
earthquake epicenter, the greater the
shaking sensation. Memphis sits
dangerously close to potential
epicenters. A great amount of the
potential damage earthquakes can
cause also depends on the material of
the ground beneath structures, so if
caught in an earthquake, its better to
be in a large open area where nothing
can fall on you.

Earthquakes can have

catastrophic effects on
the Memphis area.
Large structures like
the bridges and
buildings in the
downtown area could
collapse and the most
astonishing damage
caused by earthquakes
is seen in the collapse
of buildings, electrical
lines, dams, and roads.
Often times,
earthquakes are the
source of many fires. In
Memphis, for example,
the TVA areas could be
heavily affected and

MEMPHIS
EARTHQU
AKE!

What you need to

know, what you can
do, and the potential
risks

Types of
Earthquakes

Microseism
Earthquakes

Earthquakes that read a 1.0-2.0

magnitude; people cannot feel
these earthquakes. These happen
on an almost weekly basis.

Why do you
need to know?

Memphis sits on a major fault

line in the U.S. and is located
in the most active seismic
zone in the U.S., the New
Madrid Seismic Zone.
Seismologists are constantly
warning of the looming threat
of the next big earthquake
that will inevitably occur. The
last big earthquake in 1812
made the land roll like the
waves in ocean and any
buildings standing fell like
dominos. With such a threat
hanging over the Memphis
area, it would be beneficial to
be armed with the knowledge
of what may happen and why.

Tectonic Earthquakes

The popularly known earthquake

that results from the sliding of
tectonic plates under the earths
surface. These are the most likely
to occur in the Memphis area.

Types of
Waves

Earthquakes can move in different

ways and depending on how they
move, they can cause a significant
amount of damage. Earthquake
waves are categorized into three
categories:

Volcanic Earthquakes

Earthquakes that result from the

eruption of nearby volcanos. These
have zero chance of occurring in
the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Collapse
Earthquakes

Earthquakes that result from the

collapse of an underground mine or
cavern

Explosion
Earthquakes

Earthquakes that result from the

detonation of chemicals or nuclear

P Waves- These waves

most resemble sound waves,
which travel in compressions
in the direction of motion.
They can travel through any
medium (solid, liquid, or
gas) and are generally the
fastest of the waves. This is
a body wave.
S Waves- These waves
resemble transverse waves,
which resemble ocean
waves in the fact that the
energy moves up and down
perpendicular to the
direction of motion. These
can only travel through
solids, are slower than P
waves, but deal more
damage. This is a body