Park earthquake history

A chronological catalogue of seismic events documented in the surrounding Shawnee Hills region

Recorded Earthquake History and Seismic Records for Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois

Explore the historical collection of recorded seismic events associated by epicentre proximity with Shawnee National Forest. Each entry displays magnitude, depth, and distance to help viewers trace the regional seismic timeline across the southern Illinois landscape. This database provides a transparent view of verified USGS earthquake data to support geographic inquiry into the forest and its wider geological setting.

Explore Shawnee National Forest

A flat-style digital illustration depicting a rocky canyon landscape with a small waterfall, pine trees, and layered sandstone formations under a soft sky.

Southern Illinois' largest public forest, shaped by glaciers, hardwood hills, and sandstone canyons.

Shawnee National Forest

Shawnee National Forest is a United States National Forest in the Shawnee Hills of southern Illinois, administered by the U.S. Forest Service and spanning roughly 289,000 hectares of federally managed land across nine counties. It is the single largest publicly owned body of land in Illinois and sits along the southern edge of a region shaped by Pleistocene glaciers, where hardwood forests, sandstone bluffs, and deeply cut canyons define much of its character. The forest protects a remarkable mix of ecosystems for its midwestern location, from upland oak-hickory woodlands and pine plantations to swamps, ravines, and river corridors. Seven designated wilderness areas, well-known rock formations such as Garden of the Gods, and recreation sites like Pounds Hollow and Jackson Falls anchor its strong identity as both a refuge for biodiversity and a major outdoor recreation landscape in the American Midwest. Beyond ecology, Shawnee National Forest carries cultural and historical weight. Much of its early land was exhausted farmland reclaimed through New Deal-era conservation work, and the forest today reflects more than eight decades of reforestation, planning, and grassroots environmental engagement that have shaped both its landscape and its management.

Location: United States of America
Park type: Protected landscape
Established: 1933
Area: 2,017.8 km²

Shawnee National Forest Protected Area Map

Explore Shawnee National Forest records by depth and distance

Examine historical earthquake data near Shawnee National Forest

Earthquake data near Shawnee National Forest is linked to the forest by event epicentre and measured distance, not evidence of occurrences inside its boundary. Examine dates, magnitudes, depths, named locations, distance measures, and cited records without interpreting forest or landform characteristics as seismic causes, declaring current risk, or projecting future activity.

Magnitude

Location

This page describes catalogued earthquakes associated with the park by epicentre location and distance. It does not establish causation, assess current danger, or predict future earthquakes.

No earthquake records match the current filters

Park atlas

Continue after Shawnee National Forest earthquake history

Discover more parks and protected areas from Shawnee National Forest

Shawnee National Forest earthquake history transitions to an independently selected collection of parks and protected areas. The recommendations do not indicate shared forests, management category, ecology, geology, seismic history, nearness, hazard exposure, risk, or matching documentation quality.

Watercolor painting of rock formations and surrounding green trees on a plain white background.

Wildlife reserveIllinois

Park boundaries overlap#1 closest

Northeast

Garden of the Gods Wilderness: A Protected Sandstone Plateau in Southern Illinois

Explore geologic boundaries, sandstone hoodoos, and forested wilderness terrain

Garden of the Gods Wilderness represents a critical protected area within the Shawnee National Forest, notable for its unglaciated sandstone geography. This 3,318-acre wilderness offers an intimate view of ancient carboniferous rock formations, including prominent hoodoos and clifftop overlooks that provide expansive sightlines across the southern Illinois landscape.

Area: 13.43 km²
Established: 1990
Relief: Upland
Climate: Temperate

Garden of the Gods Wilderness Map and Geography

Wildlife reserveIllinois

Park boundaries overlap#2 closest

East

Lusk Creek Wilderness: An Atlas of Protected Sandstone Canyons and Forests in Southern Illinois

Mapping rugged wilderness terrain and forest ecological recovery.

Lusk Creek Wilderness serves as a key protected landscape in southern Illinois, featuring extensive sandstone canyon systems and dense hardwood woodland. This area offers a unique look at the geological and forested character of the Shawnee region, documented through its boundaries, elevation changes, and natural landmarks. Use this geographic entry to examine the rugged, roadless character of the state largest wilderness designation and its place within the wider regional drainage system.

Area: 25.47 km²
Established: 1990
IUCN: Ib
Relief: Upland

Lusk Creek Wilderness Park Map and Geography

A watercolor painting showing a stylized landscape with rolling green hills, a band of trees, and a pale pink lake surface under a soft morning sky.

Protected landscapeUnited States of America

28 km away#3 closest

Southeast

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area: Mapped Geography and Protected Landscapes

An inland peninsula preserved between two major river reservoirs.

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area occupies a distinct narrow land bridge between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. This protected landscape contains a dense mix of forested ridges, stream valleys, and managed wildlife prairies. The area is integral to the lower Ohio River Valley geography, showcasing the results of long-term watershed management and large-scale ecological restoration within the United States.

Area: 693.1 km²
Established: 1963
Visitors: 2M annual
Relief: Lowland

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Atlas

National parkMissouri

39 km away#4 closest

West

Mark Twain National Forest: Geography and Protected Area Atlas of Southern Missouri

Mapping the karst terrain and ancient ridges of the Ozark Highlands

Mark Twain National Forest represents a sprawling conservation area within the Missouri Ozark Highlands. Its geography is defined by volcanic mountain remnants, rocky glades, and significant river corridors like the Eleven Point National Scenic River. This record provides insight into the forest's complex mapped boundaries, seven designated wilderness areas, and the distinctive karst geology that characterizes this unique American landscape.

Area: 6,037.3 km²
Established: 1939
Relief: Upland
Climate: Temperate

Mark Twain National Forest Geography

Wildlife reserveMissouri

About 74 km away#5 closest

Southwest

Mingo Wilderness: Missouri Protected Wildlife Reserve and Wetland Geography

Primitive bottomland forest and swamp landscape

Mingo Wilderness encompasses 8,000 acres of protected bottomland hardwood forest and cypress-tupelo swamp in southeastern Missouri. As a federally designated wilderness area embedded within a national wildlife refuge, it provides a quiet, primitive habitat characterized by slow-moving creek corridors and varied seasonal wetlands.

Area: 32 km²
Established: 1976
IUCN: Ib
Relief: Lowland

Mingo Wilderness Protected Area

Wildlife reserveMissouri

77 km away#6 closest

West

Rockpile Mountain Wilderness: Mapping the Rugged Ridge Landscapes of the Southeastern Ozarks

A federally protected wilderness within Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest

Explore the distinct geography of Rockpile Mountain Wilderness, where a steep granite ridge runs from Little Grass Mountain toward the national forest boundary. This protected area features unique cultural history in the form of an Indigenous stone cairn and showcases the eroded, rocky character of the eastern Ozark highlands. Use this resource to understand the boundary and terrain of this significant wilderness tract.

Area: 17.15 km²
Established: 1980
IUCN: Ib
Relief: Mountain

Rockpile Mountain Wilderness Geography

National parkMissouri

96 km away#7 closest

Northwest

Gateway Arch National Park: National Park Geographic Atlas and Map Boundaries

Explore protected landscape context and regional setting.

Gateway Arch National Park represents a unique protected landscape within Missouri, contributing to the broader national park atlas. This entry focuses on its specific geographic identity and mapped boundaries, offering structured data for understanding its role. Discover the factual landscape context and regional importance of Gateway Arch National Park for informed geographic exploration.

Area: 0.78 km²
Established: 2018
IUCN: II
Visitors: 1.2M annual

Gateway Arch National Park Protected Area

Watercolor painting of a soft, hazy forest landscape with rolling hills in the background and soft green trees in the foreground.

Protected landscapeIndiana

125 km away#8 closest

Northeast

Hoosier National Forest: Geographic Overview of Indiana Protected Wilderness and Woodlands

Mapping the karst terrain and forest corridors of southern Indiana.

Hoosier National Forest defines the landscape of southern Indiana with its rolling unglaciated hills and ridge systems. Discover the mapped geography of this protected area, including its rare prairie-like barrens, sandstone cliff formations, and the designated Charles C. Deam Wilderness. This overview focuses on the spatial extent and diverse topographic features that distinguish this forest from the surrounding Midwest plains.

Area: 826.78 km²
Established: 1961
Relief: Upland
Climate: Temperate

Hoosier National Forest Geography and Maps

MoriAtlas Explorer

Explore the Detailed Geography and Protected Landscapes of Shawnee National Forest

Continue your geographic exploration of Shawnee National Forest through our detailed mapping of this expansive Illinois wilderness. Gain insight into the regional terrain, geological landmarks, and forest boundaries that define one of the most prominent conservation areas in the American Midwest.

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Shawnee National Forest Protected Area Map

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