"The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) is a fault system in the Central U.S. that is located roughly between St. Louis, Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee. The geology in the Central U.S. is conducive to movement, and potential damage is more widespread than other earthquake-prone areas of the U.S. The series of earthquakes with the greatest magnitude in the area was in 1811-12 (4 major quakes within 3 months, ranging from approximately 7.0 to 8.0 in magnitude). There appears to be a 400-500 year cycle of earthquakes in the region - some debate on this - but a serious consideration (we are at 195 years since last significant series) ..... The Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), the Mid-America Earthquake Center (MAEC), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and FEMA have completed preliminary modeling of potential impacts of an earthquake in the NMSZ. The estimated total building loss alone in the area from one quake today could exceed $70 Billion". (FEMA, New Madrid Seismic Zone Catastrophic Planning, 2007)