Missouri earthquake study urges more data collection

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri earthquake task force recommends more data collection and a focus on making homes and businesses less susceptible to shaking damage.

There is a 25 to 40 percent chance for a magnitude 6.0 earthquake during the next 50 years. A larger quake on par with those from 1812 has around 10 percent odds.

The findings released Monday urge state insurance regulators to start collecting more earthquake data such as deductible levels and the coverage provided by county and farm mutual companies.

The study also suggests linking building designs better equipped to handle earthquakes with other marketable features such as energy efficiency to drive demand by making such homes more valuable on the resale market.