Kentucky is not a state that is usually associated with earthquakes, but it has experienced several significant seismic events in the past century. Some of these earthquakes caused damage, injuries, and even deaths in the state and beyond. Here is a list of the deadliest earthquakes that occurred in or near Kentucky in the past 100 years, based on the magnitude, intensity, and casualties reported.
The Sharpsburg Earthquake of 1980
The strongest historic earthquake recorded inside Kentucky’s borders was the magnitude 5.2 Sharpsburg earthquake of July 27, 1980, in Bath County[^1^][1]. The quake caused an estimated $3 million in damage in Maysville, where several buildings collapsed or were severely damaged[^1^][1] [^2^][2]. The earthquake was felt throughout Kentucky and in 14 other states, as far away as Georgia and Illinois[^1^][1]. It also triggered rockslides, cracked roads, and damaged water lines[^2^][2]. No fatalities were reported, but 12,701 people were injured, mostly from falling objects or panic[^1^][1].
The New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-1812
The most significant earthquakes to have affected Kentucky occurred from December 1811 to February 1812 in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, a large area of high seismic activity that covers parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois. At least three large earthquakes, each estimated to have been greater than magnitude 7, occurred during that period, along with hundreds of aftershocks. Though the state was sparsely settled then, these earthquakes affected the whole commonwealth.
They caused widespread damage to buildings, roads, bridges, and forests, and created large fissures and sand blows in the ground. They also altered the course of the Mississippi River, created Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee, and temporarily reversed the flow of some rivers. The exact number of casualties is unknown, but some accounts suggest that hundreds of people died, mostly from drowning or being crushed by falling trees or debris.
The Niksar-Erbaa Earthquake of 1942
The deadliest earthquake to have occurred outside of Kentucky but still affected the state was the magnitude 7.0 Niksar-Erbaa earthquake of December 20, 1942, in Turkey. The quake struck the Kırşehir Province, about 6,000 miles away from Kentucky, but was felt as far as Europe and North America . It caused severe damage and casualties in Turkey, where 3,000 people were killed and 50,000 were left homeless.
It also triggered landslides, avalanches, and fires. In Kentucky, the earthquake was recorded by seismographs at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, and was felt by some residents in Lexington and Louisville. No damage or injuries were reported in the state, but the earthquake raised awareness of the seismic risk in the region.
Conclusion
Kentucky has experienced several deadly earthquakes in the past 100 years, both within and outside its borders. These earthquakes have caused damage, injuries, and deaths in the state and beyond, and have shown the potential for even larger and more devastating events in the future. Therefore, it is important for the state to be prepared for earthquakes, by implementing earthquake-resistant measures, such as codes for buildings, homes, and infrastructure, and by educating the public about the seismic hazards and how to respond to them.