I recently heard a presentation by the director of the Center for Community Earthquake Preparedness at the University of Mississippi. He said that while significant earthquakes are rare, our region experiences seismic activity on an almost-daily basis.

The Center's mission includes research on earthquake activity, raising public awareness, and working with area planners, government and business leaders on preparedness issues.

Mississippi's proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone is a cause for concern. The zone runs from southern Illinois through New Madrid, Mo., into Arkansas. It also extends into Kentucky and Tennessee.

Gov. Haley Barbour and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency have undertaken efforts to alert residents to the danger posed along this major fault line as well as other smaller faults across the state.

The governor declared a week in February as Earthquake Awareness Week, and MEMA officials have spoken about the potential for damage and injuries if such an event occurred.

"A significant earthquake anywhere in the New Madrid Seismic Zone would certainly be felt in Mississippi, probably all the way to the coast," State Geologist Michael Bograd said.

In addition to the threat of injury, I share the concerns emergency preparedness officials have about the effect an earthquake could have on residential and commercial structures, highways and bridges, and other key services.

The issue has also gained attention on Capitol Hill. I joined with members of Congress from seven states to form the New Madrid Earthquake Congressional Working Group, and late last year a Congressional field hearing was held in St. Louis to develop a regional earthquake response plan.

Local, state, and federal officials are stepping up to meet this challenge.

Individuals and families can also protect themselves by securing earthquake coverage through their homeowners insurance. I have added coverage to my policy, and I encourage homeowners to consult with their insurance agents about the availability of such coverage.

One geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey said the threat is "very real" and noted that "one day there will be a major quake along the New Madrid. The dilemma is that we don't know when that will be." There is precedent for such an event.

Four of the largest quakes in history erupted along the New Madrid fault over a three month period in the 1800s. They were estimated to register 8.0 or higher on today's Richter scale. Historians wrote that the force of the earthquakes made the Mississippi River reverse course temporarily and shook china cabinets in New York.

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U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker, a Republican, represents Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District. To contact: (662) 844-5437 or (202) 225-4306; Addresses, 50 W. Main St. Room 210, Tupelo MS 38801 or U.S. House, Washington, D.C. 20515.