Small Illinois Earthquake

Monday, 11 March 2013

Authorities say a small earthquake shook parts of southern Illinois.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the 2.7 magnitude temblor was shortly before 1 a.m. Monday east and northeast of Benton.

The closest town is the small 50-person village of Macedonia in Franklin County.

Franklin County's sheriff's department says the quake doesn't appear to have caused any injuries or significant damage.

The quake is believed to have involved an extension of the New Madrid fault, a network of deep cracks in the Earth's surface.

In 1811 and 1812, the New Madrid fault produced a series of earthquakes estimated at magnitude 7.0 or greater, said to be felt as far away as Boston.

They were centered in the Missouri town of New Madrid, 140 miles east of St. Louis.

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