Although Louisiana lies in an area of low seismic risk, a number of historical earthquakes have occurred in our state. They have tended to be of low magnitude and occur with low frequency. However, the New Madrid seismic zone, located in Tennessee-Missouri border is an area most likely to produce earthquakes that could affect Louisiana. Other more immediate geologic faulting hazards in Louisiana are associated with growth faults. Many of the growth faults, located primarily in the southern portion of the state, show movement as a gradual form of fault creep rather than in conjunction with detectable earthquakes. These faults pose a threat more to property than life. The Baton Rouge fault system is an excellent example of this phenomenon, and experience with the damage it has caused exemplifies the notion that cautious planning in areas where known growth faults intersect the land surface is advisable.
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Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-