According to USGS the central U.S. has experienced a dramatic increase in tremors over the past six years.
Average number of earthquakes of
magnitude 3 or greater per year
in central U.S.
1973-2008 24
2009-2015 318
2015 1010
2016 (to Mar 15) 226
magnitude 3 or greater per year
in central U.S.
1973-2008 24
2009-2015 318
2015 1010
2016 (to Mar 15) 226
The largest recent earthquake in the region, a magnitude 5.6 tremor, occured near Prague, Oklahoma near several active injection wells.
By way of history the biggest earthquake in the U.S. east of the Rockies was the 1811/1812 New Madrid earthquakes of estimated magnitude 7.6 -8.0. This occurred near the Mississippi just south of the tip of Illinois where Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky come together. Significant risk of major seismic activity in this area continues.
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