The United States will be shaken by a seismic catastrophe...in less than 50 years
The country is about to experience a seismic catastrophe that has been dubbed “The Big One”. The earthquake of the century could become a reality in 50 years' time... Problem? Scientists don't know exactly when it will happen.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS) and several scientists who have pooled their expertise, this earthquake would be limited to a region 240km long, in an area that would affect Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois, reports The Daily Digest. This region is home to millions of people, and has a 40% probability of experiencing a seismic disaster of magnitude 6 on the Richter scale within the next 50 years. And, “this risk increases over time,” says Missouri Department of Safety and Security Emergency Coordinator Robbie Myers.
“The Big One” would be likely to reach an area 20 times larger than that affected by the California earthquakes. This is because of the substratum of the earth's crust in the center of the country, says The Daily Digest. According to Robbie Myers, the disaster would impact key infrastructures such as bridges and highways, isolating millions of citizens.
The arrival of the Big One has yet to be determined.
(MH with AsD - Source : The Daily Digest - Illustration : Unsplash)