Small earthquake shakes parts of Southern Illinois (New Madrid Fault)

BENTON, Ill. — Authorities say a small earthquake shook parts of Southern Illinois.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the 2.7-magnitude temblor was shortly before 1 a.m. Monday east and northeast of Benton. The closest town appears to be tiny 50-resident Macedonia in Franklin County.

Benton is just south of Rend Lake, about a 90-mile drive southeast of Belleville.

That county's sheriff department says the earthquake doesn't appear to have caused any injuries or significant damage.

The quake is believed to have involved an extension of the New Madrid (MAD'-rid) fault, a network of deep cracks in the earth's surface. In 1811 and 1812, the New Madrid fault produced a series of earthquakes estimated at magnitude 7.0 or greater said to be felt as far away as Boston. They were centered in the Missouri town of New Madrid, 140 miles southeast of St. Louis.


[link to www.bnd.com]