SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL!

Written by: Scott Hetsko

A fairly powerful 5.2 earthquake struck near Evansville, Indiana Friday morning. Although rare the region does lie in a fault line that has produced quakes in the past.

In 1811 and 1812, the New Madrid fault produced a series of earthquakes estimated at magnitude 7.0 or greater said to be felt as far away as Boston. They were centered in the Missouri town of New Madrid (pronounced MAD'-rid), 140 miles southeast of St. Louis.

Experts said that with the much higher population in the Midwest, another major quake along the New Madrid fault zone could destroy buildings, bridges, roads and other infrastructure, disrupt communications and isolate areas.