Aftershocks of Awareness: Could an Earthquake Strike Vicksburg?

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — A powerful earthquake struck Russia this week, rattling windows and nerves as tremors were reportedly felt thousands of miles away. While Mississippi residents may feel safely removed from global tectonic activity, the quake has renewed local curiosity and concern about whether an earthquake could one day shake Vicksburg.

“I didn’t even realize earthquakes could travel that far,” said Tara Montgomery, a Vicksburg resident “It definitely made me wonder: could something like that happen here?”

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), while Mississippi is not considered a high-risk earthquake zone, it is not entirely immune either. Much of the state falls within what scientists call a “zone of low to moderate seismic hazard.”

One of the most discussed earthquake threats in the region comes from the New Madrid Seismic Zone, a fault system that stretches through parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and into western Kentucky. Though the fault lies nearly 200 miles north of Vicksburg, its historical reach has extended far beyond its core.

In the early 1800s, a series of massive earthquakes centered in New Madrid, Missouri, reportedly rang church bells in Boston and caused the Mississippi River to flow briefly backward. While no modern event has matched that magnitude in the region, scientists caution that the fault remains active.

The likelihood of feeling an earthquake in Vicksburg is very low, but not impossible.

Upon research, the most considered areas are west and northwest Mississippi to be more vulnerable, especially near Memphis. But seismic waves can travel. If a large enough quake occurs in the New Madrid zone or even elsewhere, you could feel mild shaking in Vicksburg.

Beyond New Madrid, geologists have identified other smaller fault lines in Mississippi, including the Mid-Mississippi Valley Seismic Zone and lesser-known structures like the Pickwick Dam Fault and Pontotoc Ridge.

None of these faults are known for frequent or severe activity, but scientists caution that they remain under-studied. In 1967, a magnitude 4.7 quake near Greenville, Miss., rattled homes across the Delta. More recently, in 2012, a minor 2.8 quake was detected near Canton, just north of Jackson.

Despite the low risk, Vicksburg city officials say they take emergency preparedness seriously. The city’s emergency operations center, in coordination with MEMA, includes earthquake scenarios in its regional hazard assessments.

While floods and storms are far more common here, we do keep earthquake response protocols in our broader emergency planning. Education and awareness are key.

Experts recommend simple steps for preparedness, even in low-risk areas:

1. Secure heavy furniture and appliances.
2. Identify safe spots in your home—under sturdy tables or against interior walls.
3. Review family emergency plans, including communication and evacuation strategies.
4. Participate in the annual Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, which promotes readiness across the country.

As global seismic activity grabs headlines, Vicksburg residents like Montgomery say it’s better to be informed than surprised.

“We prepare for floods and tornadoes,” Montgomery said. “Maybe it’s time we think about earthquakes too—even if they’re rare.”