Mighty Mississippi Mind Blowing Facts (#13)
đ 2 Mind-Blowing Facts About the Mississippi River That You Wonât Believe
The Mississippi River is more than just a winding waterway â itâs a powerhouse of history, geology, and sheer natural force. Here are two jaw-dropping facts that reveal just how astonishing this mighty river truly is! đ˘đŞď¸đ§
1ď¸âŁ The Mississippi River Once Flowed Backwards đ¤Żđ
In 1811â1812, the New Madrid Earthquakes rocked the central United States with a force so intense (estimated at 7.5+ magnitude) that they temporarily reversed the flow of the Mississippi River.
Water surged upstream, creating temporary waterfalls and even forming Reelfoot Lake in what is now Tennessee. Witnesses described the river as “running uphill” for hours. The ground shook so violently, church bells rang in Boston and sidewalks cracked in Washington, D.C.
đď¸ This remains one of the most powerful seismic events in U.S. history â and yes, it made a major river run in reverse.
2ď¸âŁ A Drop of Water Takes 90 Days to Reach the Gulf đ§âł
The Mississippi River stretches 2,340 miles from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. If a single drop of water enters the river at its source, it takes about 90 days to complete the journey to the Gulf!
Thatâs 3 months of slow, meandering travel through 10 U.S. states, carrying water, sediment, and stories all the way down. đşď¸đś
đ§ Sources:
- United States Geological Survey (USGS):Â New Madrid Seismic Zone
- National Park Service:Â Mississippi River Facts
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:Â Mississippi River Basin