Does Marshall, MO need an earthquake retrofit?

Under the seismic model IBC and ASCE 7 use for new construction, Marshall is Category B. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. That puts Marshall in the 35th percentile nationally for seismic hazard - higher than 35% of the 4,875 US cities USGS was checked against here.

Where Marshall sits in Missouri

USGS's underlying values for Marshall: 0.057g peak ground acceleration, 0.122g at short period, 0.078g at 1 second. Within Missouri alone, Marshall ranks 101 of 135 cities by seismic hazard - the 25th percentile in-state. Marshall has a population of about 13,791.

Retrofit economics for Marshall

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.

Earthquake insurance for a Marshall home

A Marshall 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 Marshall's figures come from

Marshall'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 Marshall.