Prospecting for Prehistoric Sand Blows in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

This research is to 1) determine earthquake paleoliquefaction features and landforms where they occur by means of remotely- sensed data, including LANDSAT Thematic Mapper and SPOT Panochromatic images, and 2) provide new information on the ages and locations of past earthquake in the New Madrid seismic zone (NMSZ). Focussing o known liquefaction features identified during previous field work, the work will compare possible prehistoric sand blows to those that formed during the great 1811-12 New Madrid earthquakes. Radiation characteristics unique to the possible prehistoric features will be used to locate other possible prehistoric sand blows. The results of this analysis will be verified by field investigation at selected sites. This research is a component of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program and is supported under the NSF Career Advancement Award program for women.