earthquake activity. Occasional quakes can be centered almost anywhere in New England, and a few areas experience frequent earth movements. The majority of the quakes barely quiver the land, but a rare big banger gives the region quite a shake. The most activity in the Northeast occurs in the La Malbaie region of Quebec (along the St. Lawrence River, near northern Maine) and on the border between New York and New Jersey. In New England, the most frequently hit region is Ossipee, New Hampshire. Next in importance is Moodus.
The largest earthquake ever to strike the Northeast rocked La Malbaie in 1663. This quake was a big one even by Californian standards and was felt throughout Connecticut. Fortunately, the La Malbaie region has few inhabitants and lies far from New England's population centers. But if another quake like the 1663 jolt were to occur, property damage could be considerable throughout New England. Geologists are also concerned about Cape Ann, Massachusetts, which was hit by a big quake in 1755. Although few earthquakes have occurred there since, this
Mount Tom, focus of many of the
"Moodus noises" earthquakes, rises
above Salmon River Cove on the
Connecticut River in this deceptively
calm 19th-century scene. |
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