posted on Feb, 16 2011 @ 10:25 PM
reply to post by daggyz
The most important thing to remember about the area is the sand. This is why Derek is feeling the movement when the quakes are relatively small. The
waves travel easily through the sand. Another reason is that sand will be capable of absorbing lots of water. Water also always for waves to travel
easily. This is why quakes in the area can be felt over great distances. As shown in historical account. This is why I am claiming that this activity
will affect the fault under Memphis.
The quakes of 1811/1812 where felt over vast distances. And there wasn't just a main shock followed by aftershocks. There were many main shocks
followed by thousands of aftershocks. Each shock destabilize another area and increase stress loads. The waves passing through this strada has no
resistance. So the quakes spread. At the begining of this thread I posted the research on mid-continental quakes. They are different from the quakes
along the coast and those that are due to volcanoes. These quakes and this area is unique. The majority of quakes in the world are along plate
boundaries.
I'm not goin to speculate on possible volcanic causes. But the argument could be made. The faults running throughout the Mississipi River are thought
to be from a rift. A tearing open of the earth. But the rift suddenly stopped. This weakened area is why there are earthquakes.
I think these quakes are a precursor. The quakes are running the same direction as the rift. But further to the west. This could be a fault that occur
on a fold. Don't want to get too technical. I wanted to stick to the sand and water.
Eyewitnesses of the 1800's quakes describe watery sand geysers. Here's where I really start speculating because this is my hypothesis based on all
the research I've found. The moon can trigger earthquakes. Someone find the study, I'm getting tired.
The moon is causing a tidal effect. Heavy precipitation has charged the groundwater aquifer. The gravitational pull is shifting this softened ground.
Changing loads on faults.
The main cause for all the damage back in the 1800's was due to the soil. Liquification did most of the damage. Just like the 1906 San Fransico
earthquake. It there had been heavy rains during the weeks beforehand. The 1811 quake may not have been 8.0 magnitude. It may have been 7.5 and the
damage was mainly due to the unstable soil.
Next month there will be a full moon at perigee. It will be a big big moon in march.