Although earthquakes are not commonly associated with Florida, this does not mean they never occur. Indeed, there have been some historical tremors in the state, both on land and offshore. On January 12, 1879, the state of Florida experienced the strongest earthquake ever recorded, with a Richter scale value of 4.4.
The Earthquake of 1879
The University of Florida reports that experts in geology concur that the biggest known earthquake to ever strike Florida occurred on January 12, 1879, at approximately 11:45 p.m. On the Richter scale, it registered as 4.4. A significant portion of north Florida was shocked awake by the earthquake, which was likely centered in the Palatka area in north-central Florida. It caused crockery to fall from shelves and terrified people. Among the cities that felt the tremor were Cedar Key, Gainesville, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Tallahassee.
The USGS database only contains information on one earthquake that occurred across the peninsula in 1879. There have been more recorded earthquakes in Florida, most of which have been located in the northwest Panhandle. There have been more earthquakes in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico near the shores of Florida.
The Earthquake of 2006
On September 10, 2006, an earthquake beneath the Gulf of Mexico caused the greatest recorded earthquake offshore Florida. It shook Southwest Florida and had a Richter scale of 5.9. The earthquake was 6 miles deep and approximately 260 miles southwest of Tampa. Although it didn’t inflict any damage or injuries, it was felt as far away as Georgia and Louisiana.
Since there are no known faults or plate boundaries in the region where the 2006 earthquake occurred, it was uncommon. Scientists surmised that fluids or magma moving beneath the ocean floor may have been the cause.
Florida’s Risk of Earthquakes
Since Florida is not situated close to any significant tectonic plates or fault lines, it is thought to have a very low earthquake risk. Because limestone and sand make up the majority of the state, they absorb seismic waves and lessen the impact of tremors. However, historical evidence indicates that Florida is not earthquake-proof. Florida earthquakes may have a variety of causes, including:
In summary
While it may not be an earthquake hotspot, Florida has seen some significant tremors in the past. The greatest documented earthquake in Florida history, with a Richter scale value of 4.4, occurred in 1879. The strongest known earthquake to occur offshore Florida occurred in 2006 and had a Richter scale value of 5.9. Although the likelihood of earthquakes is quite minimal in Florida, there is still some risk. Both natural and man-made mechanisms have the potential to cause earthquakes in Florida. Residents of Florida should be aware that earthquakes are a possibility and should be ready for any disaster.