The New Madrid Seismic Zone is 140 miles, stretching across five states. In 1811 and 1812 enormous earthquakes erupted along this zone, effecting 24 states, creating lakes in Tennessee and causing the Mississippi River to run backward. In Peter Hernon's 8.4, the New Madrid awakens, threatening the country with systematic collapse in a chillingly plausible case of history repeating itself. It's up to a team of scientists to stop the impending destruction, working against nature, time and a horrifying, human-made conspiracy.