Thank you for posting the link. I have heard the New Madrid zone referred to as a "failed rift" for many years (which it probably is). The cold rock doesn't comfort me much, and neither does the lack of recorded motion. Cold rock still responds to stress, and lack of motion may just suggest a "locked" area.

That said---my only concern on this is that people will become complacent and decide that there is no risk of future quakes. But I've been out of the field for many years now (sigh) and may be totally wrong! (Nah...never happen hehe)and I live on the slopes of an active volcano.

Happy n Healthy to all!
PennyB