Iowa Almanac
Iowa Almanac -- Wednesday, July 03, 2024
The Earth shook more from the Iowa Almanac in a moment. The 57 AAA is here, sweet, smooth and sassy. Your road trips will never be the same. When you're behind the wheel of an American legend, Cam Courageous is giving you the chance to win a 57 Chevy Bel Air Sportgoop. This is the car people turn their heads for. Get your raffle tickets now at Cam Courageous.org. Learn more and get your raffle tickets now for a chance to glide down the road in a classic 57 Chevy. Visit Cam Courageous.org. When you think of earthquakes, Iowa normally does not come to mind. However, the land that is now the state of Iowa has had a few over time. The area around Sioux City is actually more prone to Earth tremors than many other parts of the state due to the Missouri River and hilly terrain. The likelihood is still quite low, however. On July 3, 1858, the Sioux City area was shaken by an earthquake. It was the first earthquake in Iowa documented by reliable historical records. The new Madrid, Missouri earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 may have been stronger, but the lack of good data makes it hard to accurately assess that incident. The 1858 Sioux City earthquake was followed relatively soon after by another moderately strong one on October 9, 1872. That quake was felt by a 3,000 square mile area, including adjoining portions of the Dakotas. Just five years later, on November 15, 1877, another earthquake was felt throughout Iowa and eastern Nebraska. And in parts of Missouri, Kansas, the Dakotas, Wisconsin and Minnesota. While the strongest effects were noted in Nebraska, large cracks in the walls of several buildings in Sioux City resulted from this shock. A second earthquake was reported 45 minutes later. But newspaper reports describe the tremors as of sufficient force to shake pictures and crockery from their places when an earthquake struck Sioux City on this state in 1858. And that's Iowa Almanac for July 3. There's more online at IowaAlmanac.com. Until tomorrow, I'm Jeff Stein.