Wisconsin History Day By Day


Related Web Sites:
1947 Earthquake (Wikipedia)

Wisconsin Earthquakes

Earthquakes in Wisconsin


Read More About It

"The Physical Geography of Wisconsin" by Lawrence Martin

"On Shaky Ground: The New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-1812" by Norma Hayes Bagnall


Vocabulary:

duration
localities
inland


Interesting Fact:

A strong earthquake centered near Charleston, South Carolina, in August of 1886, was felt as far away as Beloit, Janesville and Milwaukee. .


Study Questions:

  • Have there been other earthquakes in Wisconsin during the past 150 years? When did they occur?
  • What have been the most severe earthquakes in U.S. history?
  • What is significant about the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812?


    U.S. historical events that occurred on May 6:

    1937: The dirigible Hindenburg burns and crashes in Lakehurst, N.J., killing 36 people.



  • May 6

    May 6, 1947

    A very strong earthquake shook a 3,000 square mile area in southeastern Wisconsin on May 6, 1947, but caused little damage. The quake was of short duration and was felt as a “heavy bump” in some localities, and as a quick, sideward shift of the earth in others. The earthquake was felt from Sheboygan to the Wisconsin-Illinois border and approximately 25 miles inland from Lake Michigan.


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