Southeastern Missouri Rattled By Magnitude 3.7 Quake

The New Madrid seismic zone in southeastern Missouri has made its presence felt again.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports a magnitude 3.7 earthquake was centered two-miles east-northeast of Prairie, Missouri at 1:37 local time this afternoon.

That size quake generally wouldn't cause any damage and none has been reported. The New Madrid zone is the most seismically active area east of the Rockies.

Three massive earthquakes, so large they were felt across most of north America hit the area during the winter of 1811 and 1812. The USGS reports area residents feel small quakes in the zone a couple of times a year.