SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KMOX) – The New Madrid Seismic Zone has apparently raised renewed concerns of federal agencies and government leaders from eight states. More than 200 business and government leaders are meeting this week in Hoffman Estates, Illinois to coordinate efforts on earthquake preparedness.

The gathering is called “Capstone 14,’ and it’s the first in a series of activities planned for the next two years. They will culminate in a large-scale preparedness exercise among the states and their business partners in 2014.

Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee are represented.

The main topic: how to deal with a potential 7.7 magnitude earthquake here. Federal officials estimate that could kill 3,500 people, displace seven million more and cause $300 billion in damage.

The New Madrid fault is centered in New Madrid, Missouri, that’s 164 miles south of St. Louis, right down I-55.

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