Bootheel Youth Museum to host Earthquake Awareness Day event

MALDEN, Mo. -- The Bootheel Youth Museum will host Earthquake Awareness Day starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Speakers from Southeast Missouri State University, the Missouri Seismic Safety Commission, the American Red Cross and the Malden Emergency Management Agency will present valuable information concerning what can and should be done in the case of an earthquake.

This event, according to Malden Emergency Management Director Jim Hollingshad, will be a program designed to help save lives.

"This helps the community to organize and prevent fires after an emergency," he explained. "People will know where they can get help."

During last year's Earthquake Awareness Day, David Gaunt, a geologist with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, said the Bootheel area is expected to receive an enormous amount of shaking if a major earthquake hits in the seismic zone. He also explained that river beds tend to amplify movement from quakes resulting in more intense shaking. Those living near a river or in a flood plain will experience much more shaking than others.

"You will be lucky if SEMA can get things [supplies] down here in a week," Gaunt said, emphasizing a need for self reliance and preparedness.

Pertinent address:

Malden, MO