1947 Wisconsin earthquake
Encyclopedia
The 1947 Wisconsin earthquake took place on May 6, 1947, immediately south of Milwaukee at 4:25 a.m. It was the largest tremor to be historically documented in Wisconsin, but it was not recorded.
, causing damage assessed at VII on the Modified Mercalli scale across the Wisconsin-Illinois border. Two earthquakes were also reported in the state in 1912. Shocks in 1919 and 1925, the first from Missouri and the latter from Canada, occurred over enormous zones and affected the region, though not seriously. Earthquakes struck Wisconsin again in 1937 and 1939.
and Waukesha
. Damage consisted of broken windows and fallen porcelain
, pots and dishes. The locals' initial impression was that an explosion had taken place. Many evacuated buildings into the streets. Corporate office buildings were emptied of workers. Numerous calls were made local fire departments, police stations and newspapers. Three reports were made to the Milwaukee Fire Department
, all describing explosions.
Often described as "sharp", this was the most powerful earthquake to date in Wisconsin's seismological history. The earthquake broke a seismograph at Marquette University
. Many hotels, such as the Schroeder Hotel in Milwaukee, were rocked by the tremor. However, the earthquake caused no serious damage or casualties.
History
The area had been previously shaken by the 1909 Wabash River earthquake1909 Wabash River earthquake
The 1909 Wabash River earthquake occurred on September 27, 1909, in the Wabash River Valley. Measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, it is currently the strongest earthquake recorded in the U.S. state of Indiana.-Geography:...
, causing damage assessed at VII on the Modified Mercalli scale across the Wisconsin-Illinois border. Two earthquakes were also reported in the state in 1912. Shocks in 1919 and 1925, the first from Missouri and the latter from Canada, occurred over enormous zones and affected the region, though not seriously. Earthquakes struck Wisconsin again in 1937 and 1939.
Damage
The area hardest hit was a 7770 square kilometres (3,000 sq mi) strip of land in southeastern Wisconsin, while the earthquake was felt over a much more extensive 99 miles (159 km) wide area stretching across the Wisconsin-Illinois border, and to Lake MichiganLake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
and Waukesha
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
. Damage consisted of broken windows and fallen porcelain
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and...
, pots and dishes. The locals' initial impression was that an explosion had taken place. Many evacuated buildings into the streets. Corporate office buildings were emptied of workers. Numerous calls were made local fire departments, police stations and newspapers. Three reports were made to the Milwaukee Fire Department
Milwaukee Fire Department
The Milwaukee Fire Department has the responsibility for protecting the citizens and property of Milwaukee from fire and fire hazards and providing emergency medical services....
, all describing explosions.
Often described as "sharp", this was the most powerful earthquake to date in Wisconsin's seismological history. The earthquake broke a seismograph at Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
. Many hotels, such as the Schroeder Hotel in Milwaukee, were rocked by the tremor. However, the earthquake caused no serious damage or casualties.