Quentin mentions the first earthquake recorded in the area back in 1811. From December 16, 1811 to February 7, 1812 there was a series of earthquakes with moment magnitudes ranging from 7.0 to 7.9 (the Richter scale only goes up to 7). These quakes, epicentered about 150 miles south of St. Louis, became known as the New Madrid quakes.