Joplin, MO: what USGS's seismic model says

Joplin carries Seismic Design Category B under USGS's ASCE 7-16 model. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. Nationally, Joplin ranks above 36% of the 4,875 cities in this dataset for seismic hazard - the 36th percentile.

Joplin by the numbers

USGS's underlying values for Joplin: 0.059g peak ground acceleration, 0.125g at short period, 0.08g at 1 second. Within Missouri alone, Joplin ranks 99 of 135 cities by seismic hazard - the 27th percentile in-state. Joplin has a population of about 53,605.

What a retrofit costs in Joplin

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Missouri specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Missouri.

What this means for insurance

A Joplin homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Joplin's figures come from

Joplin's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about Joplin.