SEARCH FOR THE FAULT OF THE 1638 EARTHQUAKE IN CENTRAL NEW HAMPSHIRE

In 1638, central New Hampshire experienced one of the most powerful earthquakes in the history of the Northeastern United States. Historical descriptions of this earthquake report that the tremor was felt from Quebec to Rhode Island. This earthquake was accompanied by an intense noise, which lasted for 4 minutes and terrified the colonists. In addition to the initial earthquake this seismic event triggered aftershocks in the region that could be felt for some weeks after. Though the exact location of the fault line is currently unknown, various studies have focused estimates to the central New Hampshire region. We propose that an extensive gravity survey in the region between Canterbury and Sanbornton, New Hampshire, could further clarify our understanding of the earthquake faults in this area and may reveal the location of the fault that initiated the 1638 earthquake. If this fault exists and is capable of producing seismic activity of the same magnitude as the 1638 earthquake, then it poses a significant hazard to the residents of New Hampshire and the northeastern United States in general.