The New Madrid Seismic Zone is a major earthquake-prone area located in the central United States, primarily affecting parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. It is named after the town of New Madrid, where a series of significant earthquakes occurred between 1811 and 1812. These quakes were among the largest in U.S. history, with magnitudes estimated to be over 7.0. This seismic zone is unique because it is not located near a tectonic plate boundary, unlike many other earthquake regions. Instead, it is the result of ancient geological faults that remain active today, posing a risk of future earthquakes in the region.