2010 Indiana earthquake

2010 Indiana earthquake
Map of the maximum intensity in the surrounding counties with a star as the epicenter.
2010 Indiana earthquake is located in Indiana
2010 Indiana earthquake
UTC time2010-12-30 12:55:21
ISC eventn/a
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local dateDecember 30, 2010 (2010-12-30)
Local time7:55 a.m.[1]
Magnitude3.8 Mw 
Depth3 mi (4.83 km)
Epicenter40°25′37″N 85°53′17″W / 40.427°N 85.888°W / 40.427; -85.888
Areas affectedUnited States
Indiana
Max. intensityMMI IV (Light)[1]
LandslidesNone

The 2010 Indiana earthquake registered 3.8 on the moment magnitude scale and struck near Greentown and Kokomo on December 30, 2010, at 12:55:21 UTC at a depth of 3 mi.[1][2] The quake occurred approximately 50 miles north of Indiana's capital, Indianapolis.[1] It joins only three other earthquakes that have affected the northern Indiana area since 1999.[3] The "extremely rare and unprecedented" earthquake had the largest magnitude of a northern Indiana earthquake in 175 years.[4] Despite being considered a rare occurrence, the affected region of northern Indiana lies near many fault lines including the Wabash Valley seismic zone and the New Madrid seismic zone.[5][6] Both zones are hotspots for tectonic activity, with the Wabash Valley Fault Zone reaching earthquake depths up to 18 km (11.4 mi.) deep.[7] It was incorrectly recorded by nearby stations as a 4.2 magnitude before being downgraded to 3.8.[8] No significant damage was reported from the incident, but the quake was felt by thousands, spanning across multiple cities and states.[9] Towns as far away as Kalamazoo, Michigan and states as far as Wisconsin and Kentucky reported the earthquake.[10][11]

  1. ^ a b c d "Magnitude 3.8 – INDIANA". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  2. ^ Silverleib, Alan (December 30, 2010). "Indiana earthquake: a 'very loud boom'". CNN. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  3. ^ Guarino, Mark. "Illinois earthquake third to rattle upper Midwest since 1999". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  4. ^ Mark Guarino (December 30, 2010). "Indiana earthquake 'extremely rare and unprecedented'". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  5. ^ Blake, Brian. "Wabash Valley Seismic Zone". cusec.org. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  6. ^ Blake, Brian. "New Madrid Seismic Zone". cusec.org. Archived from the original on February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  7. ^ Kim, WY (October 2003). "The 18 June 2002 Caborn, Indiana, earthquake: Reactivation of ancient rift in the Wabash Valley seismic zone?". Web of Science. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  8. ^ "Indiana earthquake downgraded to 3.8 on Richter scale". Catholic Online. December 30, 2010. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  9. ^ "Small quake a boon for geologists -- Daily Herald". prev.dailyherald.com. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  10. ^ Fusciardi, Chris (December 30, 2010). "Indiana earthquake 'absolutely unmistakable' to some Southwest Michigan residents". Michigan Live. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  11. ^ Mary Collins; Nicole Hahn; John W. Davis (December 30, 2010). "Did You Feel That Earthquake?". Indiana News Center. Archived from the original on January 2, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2012.