HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF AUDIBLE EARTHQUAKES FROM MOODUS, CT: “THE MOODUS NOISES”

Audible earthquakes occurring in the Moodus Seismic Area of East Haddam, CT have been known for centuries. Named for the Wangunk Indian word Machimoodus, meaning “place of noises,” the Moodus Noises have long been the subject of superstition, discussion, and scientific investigation. Superstition began with the Native Americans who dealt with natural phenomena on a primal level, conducting ritual gatherings at a cave where the noises eminate, and ended with European settlers and religious fervor over the wrath of God delivered through natural disasters like earthquakes. Discussion has included numerous genre, such as poems, newspaper articles, and radio and television documentaries. Scientific investigation has led to much speculation and an accumulation of a great deal of data as the science of geology has evolved and refined research methodology, narrowing the cause to earthquakes occurring along geologic faults. One thing is certain: the drama around the Moodus Noises continues into the 21^st century.