The New Madrid Earthquakes in the early 1800s significantly impacted the flow and geography of the Mississippi River.

The New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-1812 caused dramatic shifts in the Mississippi River’s flow and geography. These powerful quakes created temporary waterfalls, altered the river’s course, and caused land subsidence in the valley. The quakes also formed new lakes and changed the landscape, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity. These events are key to the Mississippi River's natural history and evolution.