Did You Know!
Tennessee Has a Lake Created by Earthquakes
Did you know that Tennessee is home to a lake formed by some of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in the central United States?
Reelfoot Lake, located in northwestern Tennessee, was formed during the massive New Madrid earthquakes of 1811–1812.
These earthquakes dramatically altered the landscape, causing sections of land to sink and creating conditions that allowed water to flood the area.
What’s even more fascinating is that the earthquakes were so powerful they temporarily caused portions of the Mississippi River to flow backward.
Today, Reelfoot Lake is famous for its unusual flooded forests, fishing, and bald eagle populations.
The surprising part: Tennessee’s Reelfoot Lake is considered the state’s only large naturally occurring lake, and its creation is a remarkable reminder of how dramatically earthquakes can transform the landscape.