The Big One.

Bigger in terms of magnitude than the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, the New Madrid earthquakes that unfolded in late 1811 and early 1812 comprised a trifecta of temblors that stuck in seemingly unlikely locations, Missouri and Arkansas. On the occasion of the first quake on December 16, 1811, the earth opened in some places and released a blanket of malodorous fog, Geysers of sand shot into the air. By the thousands, trees shattered into splinters. The quake caused significant damage in an area about the size of Texas, and the shock was felt as far north as Montreal. Two equally potent quakes would follow in the weeks to come. At the time, the population of this pioneer territory was sparse. Even so, 1,500 people lost their lives, a testament to the power of the event. Today, nearly 20 million people live in the same area, making the potential for human loss considerably higher if such a quake would strike again. Page and officer examine whether a series of temblors such as these could happen today. Out of the New Madrid earthquakes seismology arose. The authors recount how that field of science blossomed from these quakes, how it has progressed over the years, and how seismologists ply their trade and predict earthquakes. HM, 2004, 239 p., hardcover, $24.00.