How Likely Is Maine’s Population To Be Exposed To A Earthquake?

More than 143 million Americans are exposed to "potentially damaging ground shaking from earthquakes," including those who live in Maine.

The United States Geological Survey has just released new information. “The new exposure estimate is nearly double the previous 2006 estimate of 75 million Americans in 39 states, and is attributed to both population growth and advances in science,” said William Leith, who is the USGS senior science adviser for earthquake and geologic hazards and a co-author of this study.

If you look at the map below, you'll see as the growing population makes it way into southern and central Maine the potential exists for more people to be exposed to an earthquake.

The ten states with the highest populations exposed to very strong ground shaking levels according to the USGS are: California, Washington, Utah, Tennessee, Oregon, South Carolina, Nevada, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois.

So what about the potential for a earthquake here in the Pine Tree State?  That's an age old question. The map below from the USGS could give us a little hint.

This new research helps us better understand the scale of earthquake hazards and ultimately strengthen the nation’s ability to protect Americans against future events,” said Kishor Jaiswal, a USGS research structural engineer as well as the lead author of the study.

Of course earthquakes do happen from time to time here in the Pine Tree State, many of us have felt and even heard them, but how far away are we from a big one?