Chris your reply on Loma Prieta got me to thinking. I don't think I know, but my impression of the 1811 era quakes on the New Madrid fault was a series of 7-8s and I didn't think the break was 300 miles long. I'll admit I have never really considered closely the length of the break, more focused on effects. Since you are now closer to NM do you have any insights on the length of breaks there? Based on my understanding of your comments on Loma Prieta, to have several 8+ like NM did, we would need to break over 600 miles or was the consideration that it would be in the same 300 mile stretch and just breaking at different levels? If there are several 8+ in one 300 mile stretch in a short period of time like NM has anyone done any work on what the fault structure is like to create such a series of quakes?
If this does not make sense, let me know. I haven't had a cup of tea yet and I am not sure it makes sense to me even.